In a Saturday interview, Musk expressed his hope that the U.S. would become a “zero-tariff” nation with Europe.
“I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk said.
Musk also posted a video on X Monday featuring pro-free market economist Milton Friedman talking about the supplies needed to produce a pencil, many of which come from other countries. Friedman pointed to the free market as essential to productive efficiency.
Compared to Trump, who is very pro-tariff, Musk does not seem to share the same enthusiasm for the new tariffs as the rest of the administration. Musk has criticized Trump official Peter Navarro for saying the Trump tariffs would solve the U.S.’s trade deficits with other countries.
“A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing,” Musk replied in an X post. “Results in the ego/brains>>1 problem.”
Trump’s continuation of his tariff policy despite Musk’s opposition proves that Musk is in an advisory role in the administration. Some have accused Musk of possessing too much power with the Department of Government Efficiency, but he merely advises the president on the best course of action depending on what DOGE finds. Musk is in the administration to provide a different perspective on problems that other officials may have missed. His primary job is investigating waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies.
TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Trump has always been pro-tariff, so it was unlikely that anyone, even Musk, would have convinced him to do anything different last week, especially since the rest of Trump’s team generally shares his pro-tariff views. Trump did not hire Musk to provide advice on tariff policy.
DOGE, on the other hand, is new to Trump’s second administration, and he is more likely to take the advice of others in those matters.
