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

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, the SpaceX founder continued.

The day before, Musk took to his X social media platform to take a swipe at another of White House advisor who defended Trumps tariffs.

His comments on Saturday also came just days after it was announced he would be stepping down from the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

While speaking virtually on Saturday, Elon Musk (pictured) said he hopes that both regions would move towards eliminating trade barriers, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America

Musks public support for a zero-tariff system contrasts with the Trump administrations recent protectionist stance, which included a 20 percent tariff rate on goods from the European Union , suggesting potential tensions within the administration. Pictured: Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a trade announcement event in the White House on April 2

The Trump administration attempted to downplay his resignation, stating that it was always agreed he would leave.

However the timing of Musks resignation and his trade policy advocacy has raised eyebrows as some speculate that his departure from DOGE could be linked to policy disagreements.

Musk personally lost billions in the markets reaction to the tariffs, with the US stock market experiencing its worst trading week in five years.

He made his feelings known on Friday by going after White House advisor Peter Navarro after he insisted that the tariffs would eventually pay off during an appearance on CNN.

The worlds richest man took to his X social media platform to respond to a post that noted Navarro has a PhD in economics from Harvard.

 A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains>>1 problem, Musk wrote.

After a user responded to say that Navarro was correct, Musk remarked: He aint built s***. 

Navarro told CNNs Phil Mattingly: Here’s the analytical issue, we’re trying to do under the principle that the president wants to charge those countries what they charge us. 

The shocking announcement coincides with Musks resignation from his position as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

White House economic advisor Peter Navarro appeared on CNN on Friday evening to calm the chaos caused by Trumps tariffs, but his remarks were quickly criticized by Elon Musk 

Musk personally lost billions in the markets reaction to the tariffs this week, and after Navarro insisted that the tariffs would eventually pay off, Musk took to his X platform to mock the economic advisor 

Musk mocked Navarros education and said the Trump ally aint built s*** 

As you pointed out, Vietnam has an applied tariff rate that’s much larger than ours, but doesn’t come near the tariff we charge them, so the question is how do you value the following, Phil? 

So let me count the ways. You’ve got to value currency manipulation, you’ve got to value the VAT tax distortions, dumping, export subsidies, technical barriers of trade, agricultural barriers to trade, quotas, bans, counterfeiting, intellectual property theft, and all of that. 

So, here’s the punchline. If you look at the trade deficit… should the U.S. have chronic and sustained deficits? They should not. 

But Musk remained unconvinced and continued his attacks on Navarro late into the evening, including responding yup at 2am to a meme reading: In every disaster throughout American history, there always seems to be a man from Harvard in the middle of it. 

Social media was left divided by Musks break from Trump, with some questioning if it was a sign the billionaire was falling out with the president. 

Im confused... arent you guys on the same team? one X user responded. 

Who are you trying to please by publicly dissing Navarro? China? You cant tell him privately? I thought you are part of the team, another added.

It comes as demonstrators gathered at the National Mall in Washington DC to protest against Musk and the cuts he made while at DOGE. 

Musk continued his attacks on Navarro late into the evening, including responding yup at 2am to a meme reading: In every disaster throughout American history, there always seems to be a man from Harvard in the middle of it 

It comes as demonstrators gathered at the National Mall in Washington, DC, to protest against Musk and the cuts he made while at DOGE

The protests forced First Lady Melania Trump to postpone the White House spring garden tours, because they would clash with the demonstrations. 

Trump said as he announced his tariffs this week that nations around the world will be hit with at least a 10 percent tariff on their imports with some reaching up to a whopping 50 percent.

The tariffs are being levied based on barriers to entry. That means the European Union will be hit with 20 percent tariffs because it charges a 39 percent tariff on America. 

The U.K., on the other hand, got off relatively easy. Since it only charges the U.S. a 10 percent tariff, it will pay 10 percent in return.

China will pay a 34 percent tariff, with the White House calculating that the U.S. pays 67 percent when currency manipulation is factored in.

My fellow Americans, this is liberation day, weve been waiting for a long time, Trump proclaimed. In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world.

As Trump spoke the stock market tanked - with Dow futures dropping more than 250 points, the S&P 500 falling 100 points and Nasdaq futures dripping more than 400 points.