In the context of President Donald Trump's announcement of a plan to impose strong tariffs on trading partners, technology billionaire Elon Musk suddenly called for the establishment of a free trade zone between the US and Europe - without tariff barriers, without restrictions on labor movement.
Reuters reported that speaking via video at a conference of the League Party - the right wing co-governing force in Italy, Elon Musk expressed hope that "one day Europe and the US will reach a consensus on moving towards a duty-free model", creating a transatlantic economic alliance.
Most ideally, I believe that Europe and the US should move towards a duty-free, efficient state like a free trade zone between North America and Europe, Musk said in an interview with the Federation Party leader Matteo Salvini.
The announcement came just days after President Trump announced a counterpart tax of 20% on goods from the European Union - including Italy, which has a large trade surplus with the US. This is seen as a move to tighten the trade balance, while affirming Mr. Trump's priority of "America First".
Not stopping at trade, Elon Musk also called for labor releasedure between the two continents: If someone wanted to work in Europe or North America, they should be allowed to do so. That is the advice I gave the President, he said.
As a close advisor to President Donald Trump and has spoken out in support of many right-wing parties in Europe, Elon Musk has a close relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as the leader of the Federation Party - Mr. Salvini. He also publicly thanked Mr. Salvini when he was recommended to choose Starlink - his satellite company - for Italy's communications system.
As US-EU trade tensions risk escalating, Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti (of the Federation) has called for reducing the escalation of tensions and avoiding retaliatory measures that could harm both economies.
