Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are engaged in a public spat over misguided electric car remarks, with Musk labeling Trump’s trade adviser as ‘dumber than a sack of bricks’ over comments about Tesla.
President Donald Trump‘s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has found himself on the receiving end of a scathing criticism from none other than his boss, ‘I don’t know what he’s talking about,’ said Elon Musk. The electric vehicle mogul, who is also a member of the Trump administration, has labeled Navarro as ‘dumber than a sack of bricks’ over comments he made about Tesla.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Elon Musk is a business magnate and entrepreneur best known for his ambitious ventures in space exploration and electric vehicles.
He co-founded PayPal, which was later sold to eBay for $1.5 billion, and went on to establish SpaceX, aiming to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars.
Musk also founded Tesla, Inc., revolutionizing the automotive industry with electric cars like the Model S and Model 3.
His innovative ideas and risk-taking approach have made him a pioneer in multiple fields.
Navarro had criticized Musk in an interview, stating that he was not a car manufacturer but rather a car assembler. This claim was part of Trump‘s sweeping tariff policy, which aims to revive manufacturing in the US by imposing tariffs on imported goods. Navarro believed that parts should be made in the US in the future.
However, ‘demonstrably false,’ said Musk, who has disputed these claims. He pointed out that Tesla vehicles have the most parts produced in the US, with a high percentage of US content. In fact, a 2023 article by car valuation firm Kelley Blue Book cited Cars.com findings that Tesla vehicles had the most parts produced in the US.
The Tariff Policy: A Divided View
While Trump has justified his tariff policy as a way to revive manufacturing and increase profits, many industry experts have expressed concerns about its impact. Technology industry analyst Dan Ives claimed that Tesla was less exposed to tariffs than other US car makers, but also noted that the company sourced most of its parts from outside the US.
A tariff is a tax imposed on imported or exported goods.
Tariffs are used by governments to regulate international trade, protect domestic industries, and generate revenue.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) governs global trade policies, including tariffs.
Countries can impose tariffs unilaterally or collectively through agreements like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
Tariff rates vary widely depending on the country, product, and purpose.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a dean and professor at the Yale School of Management, echoed this sentiment. He said that many American CEOs are embarrassed about Trump‘s trade policies and believe they will lead to a recession. A survey taken at a gathering of business executives in Washington last month found that 79% of respondents were embarrassed by the current policy.
Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, 'Donald Trump' is an American businessman, television personality, and politician.
He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
Trump's business career began with his father's real estate company, and he expanded into various industries, including casinos, hotels, and golf courses.
He became the '45th President of the United States' in 2017, serving one term until 2021.
A Public Disagreement
The spat between Musk and Navarro is not an isolated incident. Even before this row, ‘I think it’s time for us to rethink our trade policies,’ said Elon Musk, who had hinted at his dissatisfaction with Trump‘s tariff policy. He posted a video of economist Milton Friedman, who was known for opposing tariffs, in which he extolled the values of the free market.
Another Trump backer, billionaire fund manager Bill Ackman, has also called for a pause on the tariffs to stave off global economic disruption. However, Navarro is considered an ultra-Trump loyalist and has been involved in some controversy himself, including being jailed for ignoring a subpoena from a House committee investigating alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The row between Musk and Navarro highlights the growing divide within Trump‘s administration over his trade policies. As the world watches with interest, it remains to be seen how this public sparring will play out in terms of policy changes.
