Elon breaks with Trump on tariffs as he goes public with White House dissent

Elon Musk has publicly distanced himself from Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, signaling a shift away from the White House’s isolationist stance.

While Trump introduced a 20% tariff on European imports—calling it “Liberation Day”—Musk voiced support for closer U.S.-Europe ties, advocating for a zero-tariff free trade zone between the two regions.

Speaking at a virtual rally hosted by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk said, “I hope the U.S. and Europe establish a very close partnership… ideally a zero-tariff situation.”