Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, hopes for a “zero-tariff situation” between Europe and the United States. In a video interview with Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister, Musk expressed his desire for free trade between Europe and North America.
Musk’s comments come after President Donald Trump announced 20% tariffs on goods from the European Union. The Tesla CEO criticized senior counselor Peter Navarro, saying he doesn’t have the necessary background to make economic decisions.
Tesla has seen a significant decline in sales in recent months, with sales plummeting 49% in Europe and 7% in Italy compared to the same time last year. Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is seeking “de-escalation” with the US over tariffs, which have had a minimal impact on Italy’s trade surplus with the country.
Musk’s comments are seen as a response to Trump’s economic policies, but it remains to be seen how they will affect relations between the EU and US.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/05/business/musk-tariffs-us-europe/index.html