Elon Musk Silent on Trump's Tariff Plans
Elon Musk's frequent social media presence has been conspicuously absent of commentary on President Trump's tariff agenda. Despite over 10 posts per hour in the early days of Trump's second term, Musk has made no direct mentions of tariffs.
A search of Musk's posting history reveals minimal results for "tariff" or "import duty." Historical references often differ significantly from Trump's current rhetoric. In 2018, Musk expressed opposition to import duties and supported Trump's objection to foreign car tariffs.
However, recent tweets lack specific references to tariffs. While praising Trump's agenda, Musk has avoided mentioning tariffs directly.
Potential Impact on Musk's Businesses
Despite the public silence, tariffs could impact Musk's businesses. As CEO of Tesla, Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Modi to discuss potential EV tariffs. Trump's plan for reciprocal tariffs could benefit Tesla if India reduces EV duties.
Musk's Balancing Act
Musk's stance on tariffs aligns with some free-trade Republicans. He has refrained from openly criticizing Trump's trade policies. However, his silence has drawn criticism from political opponents, who accuse him of seeking concessions from Modi for personal gain.
Trump's Views on Musk's Role
When asked about Musk's dual role as CEO and government advisor during his India meeting, Trump expressed uncertainty. He acknowledged India's challenging business environment due to tariffs and suggested Musk could be involved in business interests.
Musk's Historical Views
Musk has previously discussed the impact of value-added taxes (VATs) on Tesla car prices. Trump's recent memo on reciprocal tariffs specifically addresses VATs. This may indicate a potential alignment between Musk's past views and Trump's current policies.