Tesla said it is vulnerable to potential retaliatory actions by other countries as the trade war escalates with U.S. President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on a range of imports. Tesla warned the U.S. government in a letter this week that any such action could drive up manufacturing costs and make Tesla vehicles less competitive in international markets. "When other countries respond to U.S. trade actions, U.S. exporters are naturally disproportionately affected," Tesla wrote in the letter dated March 11. "Past U.S. trade actions have elicited immediate responses from targeted countries, including increased tariffs on electric vehicles imported from those countries." The letter was included in public comments as the U.S. Trade Representative's Office is evaluating whether Washington's trade actions will harm U.S. businesses.