Elon Musk has revealed that he was unsuccessful in persuading U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his aggressive tariff policies, warning that the measures could damage the American economy and cost manufacturing jobs.
In a recent interview, the Tesla CEO expressed concerns that tariffs distort markets, raise consumer prices, and risk triggering a recession. Musk’s comments come amid Tesla’s move to halt orders for select vehicle models in China after Beijing imposed a retaliatory 125% tariff on certain U.S.-made products.
U.S. manufacturers, meanwhile, continue to link Trump’s tariff strategy to shrinking output and workforce reductions—an outcome directly at odds with Trump’s promise to revive American factory employment.
“The president has made it clear he loves tariffs. I’ve tried to dissuade him from this point of view, but unsuccessfully,” Musk said.
He further questioned the logic behind tariff barriers, framing them as artificial obstacles to economic cooperation:
“Would you want tariffs between you and everyone else at an individual level? That would make life very difficult. Would you want tariffs between each city? No… Would you want tariffs between each state within the United States? No, that would be disastrous for the economy. So then, why do you want tariffs between countries?”
Musk’s remarks follow his recent conversation with Joe Rogan, where he said that Trump “is not perfect, but he’s not evil.”
Manufacturing Job Losses Mount
Fresh data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reinforces Musk’s concerns. The manufacturing sector recorded a loss of 6,000 jobs in October, bringing total manufacturing job losses since Trump’s tariff expansion in April to 59,000.
Even with signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing, industry analysts warn that layoffs may continue as long as tariffs remain in effect.
Why It Matters
The developments highlight the complicated reality behind trade protectionism. While tariffs aim to shield domestic industries, evidence increasingly suggests they may be causing contraction rather than growth—pushing companies to cut jobs, scale back production and adjust supply chains.
Musk’s public warning underscores a growing divide between the Trump administration’s economic strategy and the concerns of major American manufacturers.
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