Navarro Dismisses Musk as ‘Car Assembler’ after Tariff Comments
Peter Navarro, the top trade adviser for President Donald Trump, has pushed back against Elon Musk’s call for “zero tariffs” between the United States and Europe. Navarro referred to Musk as a “car assembler” who relies on parts from other countries, according to a report from Reuters.
Navarro, known for his involvement in Trump’s tariff policies, stated in an interview with CNBC that while Musk has done a good job streamlining government processes, his stance on tariffs is not surprising given his background in the automotive industry. Navarro described Musk as a “car person” who assembles cars rather than manufacturing them, pointing out that many parts used in Tesla vehicles come from Japan, China, and Taiwan.
In contrast, Musk, speaking at a gathering of Italy’s right-wing League Party via video link, advocated for a “zero tariff situation” between Europe and the United States. He proposed creating a free trade zone to promote economic cooperation between the two regions.
The exchange between Navarro and Musk comes amid escalating trade tensions between the US and several other countries. Trump recently announced reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of goods from nearly 60 countries, prompting discussions on trade policies and tariff rates.
As the debate over tariffs and trade continues, the perspectives of key industry figures like Elon Musk and government officials like Peter Navarro highlight the complex nature of international trade relations and the differing opinions on how best to approach economic partnerships.
