Tesla says it can't get a critical battery material anywhere but China and is pressing the US to waive tariffs.David Butow/Getty Images Auto suppliers and manufacturers are asking the US to drop tariffs on a range of Chinese goods. Tesla and SK Innovation say they can't get graphite for electric-car batteries anywhere else. President Trump slapped huge duties on hundreds of billions worth of Chinese imports in 2018. Auto suppliers and manufacturers, including Tesla, are urging the US government to waive tariffs on a range of critical components from China, especially those for electric-car batteries. The pleas come in a hectic period for global supply chains.