It seems like tensions are escalating between the recently elected President Donald Trump and his ally, Elon Musk, surrounding the imposition of tariffs. The chief of the Department of Government Efficiency has ended up criticizing the White House advisor, Peter Navarro, over the President’s aggressive tariff strategy. If you are someone who wants to know more about the situation between Elon and Trump, this article is for you. It brings you everything you need to know about Elon Musk criticizing Trump’s tariffs using Milton Friedman video. The following article also briefs you about the Musk-Navarro clash.
Musk’s Appeal To Trump
According to what the Washington Post has reported, Elon Musk tried to make a direct appeal to Donald Trump regarding the tariffs. However, his efforts have not brought any success so far. Donald Trump then threatened China with an additional 50%. This threat from the United States President came after China imposed a 34% tax as a retaliatory measure. Donald Trump later also added that this is a decision he is actually willing to negotiate.
Musk’s Criticism Of Trump’s Tariffs
Musk took over his X account to raise his voice of criticism against Trump’s tariffs, signaling out Peter Navarro. Elon Musk did not really say anything directly. However, he did share a video of economist Milton Friedman explaining the benefits of international trade for everyone. This is considered the beginning of a high-profile disagreement between President Donald Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk. It is important to remember that Elon has donated around $290 million in support of Trump and other Republicans ahead of the presidential elections last year.
Not The First Disagreement
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are often seen defending each other’s decisions in public. However, this is not the first time Elon has actually ended up disagreeing about a decision with the other members of Trump’s administration. If we go back in the past, Elon Musk has also expressed his disagreement on issues like the H-1B visa for skilled immigrants. He also once expressed his different viewpoints regarding DOGE’s efforts in reducing the spending of the government. This time he has clashed with Peter Navarro regarding Trump’s tariffs.
The Musk-Navarro Clash
Peter Navarro is known as the key advisor to Trump during the development of the Tariff plans. Elon Musk took over his X account on the 5th of April, questioning his credentials, stating how a PhD from Harvard is bad thing and not a good thing. Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, responded to the statement from Elon Musk. She mentioned how the President has put together a remarkable team of highly talented and experienced individuals. These individuals bring different ideas to the table, knowing that President Trump is the ultimate decision-maker. She then added further explaining how when he makes a decision, everyone rows in the same direction to execute. This is the reason why the administration has done more in two months than the previous Administration did in four years, according to her.
Elon Musk’s Opinion On Trump’s Tariffs
In an interview with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Elon Musk mentioned how he’d like to see a “free trade zone.” Musk is an active supporter of the zero-tariff situation. He further added saying he’d prefer more freedom for people to move between countries in Europe and the US. He has seen the tariffs as harmful to a company that counts both the US and China as its key manufacturing and consumer markets. Tesla also filed a lawsuit seeking the court to overturn the duties levied on Tesla’s imports from China to the US.
