Navarro defends tariffs amid Musk's call for free trade
Peter Navarro, who has been criticized by Elon Musk, is a proponent of high tariffs and serves as an advisor to President Donald Trump on trade matters. He declared on Sunday that the owner of Tesla does not understand the ways other countries "cheat" the United States in trade dealings, reported the Axios portal.
In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Navarro reiterated the earlier claim that the United States is facing "cheating" by other countries, including the use of significant non-tariff trade barriers and dumping of goods. Musk "doesn't understand this", although "he is excellent" at his work at the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) - Navarro assessed.
Elon when he’s in his DOGE lane is great, but we understand what’s going on here. Elon sells cars. He’s simply protecting his own interests - the economist noted.
Musk has a "big microphone"
Navarro emphasized that there is no conflict between Musk and the Trump administration. - Look, Elon, he’s got X, he’s got a big microphone. We don’t mind him saying whatever he wants. But, just, the American people need to understand that we understand, what that’s all about, and it’s fine - admitted the presidential advisor.
Musk spoke out against tariffs (the US president imposed them last week on foreign goods suppliers). During an online speech at the Italian right-wing League congress led by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk stated that he would prefer a world based on free trade and that is the advice he gives President Trump.
The world's richest person, arguing on portal X with a Navarro supporter, responded, "A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains>>1 problem." When attempting to argue with his interlocutor, Musk retorted that the presidential advisor "hasn't built anything worthwhile."
