Is Elon Musk backing away from President Trump’s America First trade agenda?
Over the weekend, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX appeared to push back against the Trump administration’s bold new tariffs—just as the global markets reacted sharply to the president’s historic crackdown on unfair trade deals.
President Trump’s Tariff Plan: A Bold Stand for American Workers
Last week, President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping package of protective tariffs targeting foreign nations that have run up massive trade surpluses at America’s expense.
The goal? Bring back American manufacturing and level the playing field for U.S. businesses that have been undercut by cheap imports for decades.
Dubbed “Liberation Day,” the president’s plan includes a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all U.S. trading partners, plus customized rates—such as a 20% tariff on goods from the European Union.
It’s the strongest move to protect Made in America jobs in generations—and one that’s already sending shockwaves through international markets.
Elon Musk Sounds the Alarm on Trade Tensions
Elon Musk, often praised for his innovation but increasingly vocal on political matters, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to criticize White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, calling into question his economics credentials and dismissing his impact on real-world industry.
In response to a user praising Navarro’s economic theories, Musk fired back:
“He ain’t built sh—.”
Musk, whose company Tesla imports many parts from China, Japan, and Mexico, clearly has concerns about what higher tariffs could mean for his supply chain.
But Navarro didn’t hold back, telling Fox News:
“Elon’s just protecting his business interests. He’s assembling cars in Texas, sure—but key parts come from Asia. Trump’s focused on protecting American jobs, not global billionaires.”
Musk’s Call for a “Zero Tariff” Zone with Europe
Later, speaking via video at a gathering of Italy’s right-leaning League Party, Musk said he hopes for a “zero tariff situation” between the U.S. and Europe—suggesting a long-term goal of creating a free trade zone between Western allies.
“It should be easier for people and companies to work across Europe and North America,” Musk added, noting he had already shared this vision with President Trump.
While Musk advocates for open markets, Italy’s League Party leaders emphasized the importance of avoiding a trade war and warned against retaliatory tariffs, calling instead for de-escalation.
Market Turbulence: A Short-Term Reaction to Long-Term Strength
Since the announcement, U.S. markets have responded with volatility. Over the past five trading days:
- Dow Jones: down 3,068 points
- S&P 500: down 454 points
- Nasdaq: down 1,458 points
While some on Wall Street are panicking, President Trump remains unfazed.
“Hang tough,” Trump told Americans on Truth Social.
“It won’t be easy, but the end result will be historic.”
The president spent the weekend at Trump National Doral in Florida, where he hosted a LIV Golf tournament, met with business leaders, and reassured Americans that these tariffs are part of a long-term strategy to restore American greatness.
Elon Musk’s Complicated Position on Tariffs and Free Markets
Though Musk has warned about the disruptive effects of tariffs on complex global supply chains—particularly in the automotive sector—he has also said that predictable, consistent policy would encourage more companies to move production to the U.S.
“You can’t instantly shift a supply chain,” Musk said during a podcast appearance with Joe Rogan,
“But companies want to build in America—if they know the rules.”
Over time, Musk has embraced many conservative market principles, including lower taxes, deregulation, and limited government interference—values that align with President Trump’s pro-business agenda.
Bottom Line: Different Approaches, Same Goal — American Prosperity
While Musk and President Trump may differ on tactics, both understand the importance of economic sovereignty, innovation, and defending the American worker.
President Trump’s America First trade policy isn’t about isolation—it’s about fairness, strength, and securing the future for generations to come.