One of United States President Donald Trump’s key advisers has expressed hope that the U.S. and Europe would have no tariffs, just as the world adjusted to the scale and impact of the duties unleashed by the world’s economic superpower.
Just days after Trump announced tariffs on his trading partners including those in Europe, technology billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, said on Saturday he hoped in the future to see complete freedom of trade between the U.S. and Europe.
"At the end of the day, I hope it's 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 was quoted as saying.
The founder of Tesla and SpaceX, who heads the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was speaking via video-link at a congress in Florence of Italy's right-wing, co-ruling League Party.
Italy, which has a large trade surplus with the United States, and other European Union countries will be subject to a general tariff of 20%.
Musk, who was interviewed by League leader Matteo Salvini, Musk, also said he hoped to see more freedom of movement between Europe and the United States.
Musk has previously expressed support for right-wing parties across Europe such as the League Party.
Italy's Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, who is also from the League, said earlier on Saturday the Italian government wanted "de-escalation" with the U.S. following Trump's tariff announcement, and warned against retaliatory tariffs.
