Elon Musk has shared his aspirations for achieving ‘zero tariffs’ between the United States and Europe, a stance that contrasts with policies put forth by President Donald Trump.
Earlier this week, President Trump addressed an audience in the Rose Garden at the White House during an event dubbed ‘Liberation Day.’ He announced plans to impose new tariffs not just on the nation’s trading partners but also broadly on countries worldwide. This move is part of an effort to reduce the United States’ reliance on imported goods.
The trade tensions with China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union have escalated after Trump implemented a 25 percent tariff on numerous goods imported from these regions.
Despite his role as the head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, does not align with the president on all matters.
The imposition of tariffs on the EU is a point of contention between them, as Musk has recently voiced his desire for ‘zero tariffs’ between the U.S. and Europe.
In a video-link conversation with Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, Musk expressed, “At the end of the day, I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free-trade zone between Europe and North America.
“That’s what I hope occurs, and also more freedom of people to move between Europe and North America if they wish, if they wish to work in Europe or wish to work in America, they should be allowed to do so, in my view. So that has certainly been my advice to the president.”
On the other hand, in a national address on Wednesday (April 2), Trump stood firm on his strategy, asserting that his tariff policy is in America’s best interest.
He stated, “This is Liberation Day. We’ve been waiting for a long time, April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to ‘Make America Wealthy Again.'”
Trump continued by recounting, “For decades our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered from nations, near and far, from both friend and foe alike.”
He reflected on the past by saying the country once had an ‘American dream that you don’t hear so much about,’ before unveiling ‘reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world.’
“They do it to us, and we do it to them. Doesn’t get much simpler than that.”