Elon Musk is once again thinking big—this time, about trade and borders. Speaking via video at a congress in Florence, Italy, Musk called for a completely free trade zone between the United States and the European Union. His comments came shortly after President Donald Trump announced new 20% tariffs on Italian and other EU imports.
Rather than escalating trade barriers, Musk pushed for “zero tariffs” between the two regions. “It just makes sense,” he said, suggesting that open trade would benefit both sides of the Atlantic. Musk, who is currently one of Trump’s advisers, emphasized that this kind of partnership could lead to stronger economic growth.
But his vision doesn’t stop with goods and services—he also wants to make it easier for people to move and work freely between the US and Europe. “If someone wants to work in Europe or in North America, they should be able to,” Musk added, highlighting how labor mobility is key in today’s global economy.
However, things are a bit tense between Musk and the EU right now. Reports say that the European Union is planning to hit Musk’s social media company, X, with fines that could exceed $1 billion.
Despite the legal drama, Musk’s message was clear: Less friction, more freedom—both in trade and in talent.
