WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 — Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk directly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend to reverse newly imposed tariffs, according to a report by the Washington Post. Despite his position as a presidential adviser, Musk’s request was rebuffed, marking the most visible disagreement between the two since Trump returned to office.
The confrontation came after Trump unveiled a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., alongside increased duties targeting several countries. The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to media requests for comment.
Musk, speaking virtually at a political congress hosted by Italy’s right-wing League Party, called for zero tariffs between the U.S. and Europe, saying such measures would foster economic growth and reduce unnecessary costs. His remarks came as Tesla continues to suffer from declining quarterly sales and market backlash related to his work with the administration’s new “Department of Government Efficiency.”
Tesla stock closed at $233.29 on Monday, down over 42% since the start of the year.
The entrepreneur has repeatedly warned that auto tariffs are significantly hurting Tesla’s business. Economists have echoed concerns, saying the tariff hikes could reignite inflation, push the U.S. economy closer to recession, and increase household expenses by thousands of dollars—a potential political setback for Trump, who campaigned on lowering the cost of living.
