Hyperdrive

Brawl Over Tariffs on EV Graphite Will Test Musk’s Sway With Trump

US trade panel backs China graphite antidumping investigation
Potential duties of 920% would deal a blow to Tesla, EV makers

The graphitization process of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries in Hegang City.Photographer: Xie Jianfei/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images

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By Ted Mann and Shawn Donnan

January 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM UTC

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Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. is spearheading an effort to block new tariffs on graphite imports from China, pitting Donald Trump’s richest backer against the president’s favorite economic tool.