Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and Trump’s government efficiency czar, has made personal appeals to President Donald Trump to reconsider his aggressive new tariffs on global imports, warning of dire economic consequences. As reported by The Washington Post, Musk’s intervention comes amid growing criticism from business leaders and financiers who fear these levies could trigger a recession in the US.
Trump’s Tariff Plan Sparks Controversy
Last week, Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, including a 34% duty on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with matching tariffs on American exports. Trump then threatened an additional 50% tariff, escalating tensions. According to RT, many tech and business leaders who backed Trump’s candidacy have slammed the move as overly aggressive, arguing it jeopardizes economic stability.
Musk’s Pushback and Business Backlash
Over the weekend, Musk took to social media to criticize White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, a key figure behind the tariff strategy, writing, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing.” Sources told The Washington Post that Musk personally reached out to Trump, though his efforts have yet to sway the president. As Tesla’s head, Musk has long opposed tariffs, given the company’s reliance on manufacturing bases and markets in both the US and China. Meanwhile, financier Joe Lonsdale and other business figures have echoed Musk’s concerns, urging a shift to more moderate, pro-free-trade policies via posts on X and direct appeals to Trump allies like Vice President J.D. Vance.
Warnings of Economic Fallout
Critics, including a coalition of business leaders forming to lobby the administration, warn that the tariffs could harm American companies more than their Chinese counterparts. RT notes that many suggest a 10% base rate with international negotiations would suffice. Financiers have sounded the alarm on an imminent recession, pointing to disrupted supply chains and rising costs as key risks.
Trump Stands Firm
Despite the backlash, Trump defends his policy, claiming it’s a necessary “medicine” to bring jobs and wealth back to the US. “Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something,” he said, promising unprecedented prosperity. However, with Musk and other influential voices pushing back, the debate over America’s trade future intensifies.
What’s Next?
As this tariff showdown unfolds in April 2025, the stakes are high for the US economy. Will Trump heed Musk’s warnings, or will his hardline stance prevail? Stay tuned as this story develops.
Author: Planet-Today.com