US tech billionaire Elon Musk said he hopes to see complete freedom of trade between the United States and Europe in the future, speaking days after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on trading partners.
Musk spoke via video link at the congress of Italy’s League party in Florence.
“Ultimately, I hope that Europe and the United States will move to what I believe is a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk said.
Under Trump’s plans announced on Wednesday, April 2, Italy, which has a large trade surplus with the United States, would be subject to a general tariff of 20 percent along with other EU countries.
In an interview with League leader Matteo Salvini, Musk said he hoped to see greater freedom of movement between Europe and the US.
“If people want to work in Europe or if they want to work in North America, in my opinion, they should be allowed to do that,” Musk said, adding that he had advised the US president on this.
Musk, who was previously close to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and his Brothers of Italy party, has also expressed support for Salvini’s League.
Both groups have a hard-right agenda based on law and order, tax cuts and cracking down on illegal immigration.
Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giordetti, who is from the League, said earlier that the government wanted a “de-escalation” with the US after Trump’s tariff announcement and warned against imposing US countermeasures.
Musk expressed gratitude to Salvini last month after the League leader said Italy should choose his company, Starlink, to get its satellite communications system.
