Elon Musk’s private appeal to Trump
Tesla CEO and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk personally requested U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse sweeping new tariffs, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Musk, who had already publicly criticized Trump’s proposed 50% tariff on Chinese goods, reportedly made direct appeals to the president, urging him to reconsider the aggressive trade measures. Despite his efforts, the report suggests that Musk’s attempts have not been successful.
The controversy comes as Trump announced plans to impose a 50% tariff on Chinese imports, in addition to the 34% tariffs already in place. The move has sparked concerns across global markets and among business leaders, including Musk, who has long advocated for a reduction in trade barriers.
Musk promotes free trade
In an effort to highlight the benefits of international trade, Musk shared a video of economist Milton Friedman on his social media platform, X. The video explained how free trade benefits all parties involved, indirectly critiquing Trump’s protectionist stance.
Speaking with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk said, “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. That has certainly been my advice to the president.”
Musk criticizes White House trade advisor
In a separate move, Musk took aim at White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who played a key role in shaping Trump’s tariff policy. Mocking Navarro’s credentials, Musk remarked, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing.”
White House responds
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s stance, stating, “The President has put together a remarkable team of highly talented and experienced individuals who bring different ideas to the table, knowing that President Trump is the ultimate decision-maker.”