Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, two prominent figures in the Trump administration, are increasingly at odds over US trade policy, particularly regarding tariffs.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has publicly disagreed with Navarro, who serves as President Trump’s senior trade advisor and is a key proponent of the administration’s tariff strategy.
Musk took to social media on Saturday to criticize Navarro’s stance on tariffs, specifically targeting his academic background.
“A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing,” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He added that Navarro’s qualifications resulted in what Musk described as an “ego/brains” problem. Navarro, who earned both a master’s in public administration and a doctorate in economics from Harvard, has defended his position on tariffs as vital for reshoring US manufacturing jobs.
The tension between Musk and Navarro has emerged in the wake of Trump’s decision to implement reciprocal tariffs on more than 180 countries, a move designed to bolster US manufacturing. Musk, however, has expressed a preference for a more free-market approach. While attending a meeting in Italy, Musk advocated for a “zero-tariff situation” between the US and Europe, hoping to create a free trade zone. He also emphasized his belief that individuals should be allowed more freedom to work across borders, particularly between Europe and North America.
Navarro, in contrast, is a staunch supporter of tariffs, which he believes will protect American industries, including automotive manufacturing. In a recent Fox News interview, Navarro downplayed Musk’s critique, stating, “Look, Elon, when he’s in his DOGE lane, he’s great,” referring to Musk’s work on government efficiency projects, but added that Musk’s views on tariffs were influenced by his business interests. Navarro argued that Musk’s reliance on foreign parts for Tesla vehicles, sourced from countries like China and Japan, made him more of a “car assembler” than a manufacturer.
The rift between Musk and Navarro also highlights a broader divide in the Trump administration on economic issues. While Navarro is focused on reshoring US manufacturing jobs, Musk has voiced concerns that tariffs could harm industries like electric vehicles, particularly when countries retaliate with their own levies. This disagreement has added to the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff policies, which have already caused significant volatility in global markets.
Musk, who has long been a supporter of Trump, has also made public comments criticizing the broader economic implications of the tariff strategy. The tariffs, which have triggered sharp declines in the stock market, have sparked fears of a potential recession, with the S&P 500 down more than 20% from its peak.
Business Insider, Al Jazeera, and Reuters contributed to this report.
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