The Growing Rift Between Trump and Elon Musk: A Clash Over Tariffs

International News : The relationship between US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is becoming increasingly strained due to Trump's recent tariff policies. Musk has publicly urged Trump to reconsider the 50% import tariff imposed on Chinese goods, citing concerns about its potential harm to businesses.

Trump's Tariff Policy Sparks Controversy

Trump's decision to impose a 50% tariff on Chinese imports has been met with widespread criticism from entrepreneurs and traders. Musk, a prominent figure in the business world, has been vocal about his opposition to the policy. He believes that tariffs can be detrimental to companies that rely heavily on global supply chains and consumer markets.

Musk's Criticism and the White House Response

Musk took to Twitter to express his dissent, targeting White House advisor Peter Navarro, a key architect of the tariff policy. He tweeted, "Having a PhD in economics from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing." The White House responded, with Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt stating that the President has assembled a team of experts with diverse perspectives, but ultimately, decisions are made collectively.

The Impact on Tesla's Stock Price

Following Musk's anti-tariff statements and his appeal to Trump, Tesla's stock price plummeted. On Monday, the company's shares dropped 2.5% to $233.29, marking a 38% decline since the beginning of the year.

Growing Differences Between Musk and Trump

Musk's public disagreement with Trump highlights the growing rift between the two. Despite Musk's past support for Trump and significant financial contributions to his campaign, their relationship is becoming increasingly strained. Analysts suggest that other automakers may be more affected by the new tariff policies than Tesla.