A battle in the camp? Musk reportedly asked Trump to withdraw new tariffs on China

 

 

 

US President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk are reportedly at odds over the US tariffs that have shocked the world and sparked fears of an economic recession and a global trade war. Musk reportedly made a personal request to the president to withdraw the new tariffs announced by Trump on Chinese imports, which Trump rejected. Musk's attempt to intervene in the matter came after Trump threatened yesterday to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China in addition to the 34 percent tariff announced last week. The Washington Post reported that Musk even held private talks with the president to try to convince him of the issue, but to no avail.

Is there a war in the camp?

Musk told Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini that he wanted a "zero-tariff situation" between the United States and Europe before Trump's tariffs took effect. Musk, who is also the CEO of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, is personally against tariffs. Musk, who sees the United States and China as major markets, has argued that tariffs would hurt the auto industry. During Trump's first term as president, Musk filed a lawsuit seeking to repeal the tariffs on Tesla's imports from China to the United States. In the week before Trump's new tariffs took effect, Musk lashed out at Peter Navarro, the White House adviser responsible for Trump's aggressive tariff plan, and mocked his educational background.
China will not give in to threats

China, which was hit with a 54 percent tariff in Trump's first round of tariffs, announced a 34 percent tariff on US imports in response. Trump gave China a day to withdraw the tariffs and said that if it did not meet the deadline, an additional 50 percent tariff would apply to China from April 9. In response, China said it would not give in to "tariff blackmail." China added that the US tariffs were imposed for baseless reasons. Musk got involved when Trump announced the additional 50 percent tariff.