Elon Musk is upset with Peter Navarro, President Trump’s trade adviser. Navarro criticized Musk, calling him a “car assembler.” He said Tesla used parts from other countries, including China and Japan. Musk didn’t like this and fired back. On X, Musk Slams Navarro, calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks” and “a moron.” He was angry that Navarro’s statements were wrong.
Musk believes Tesla is one of the most American-made car companies. To prove it, he shared a study. The 2023 Cars.com study showed Tesla had four of the top 10 most American-made cars. Tesla cars like the Model Y and Model S ranked high. The study showed the Big Three car companies, Ford, GM, and Stellantis, ranked lower. They used more foreign-made parts. Musk felt this was proof he was right.
The Debate on American-Made Cars
The 2024 Cars.com study showed similar results. Tesla’s Model Y ranked number one. The Honda Passport was second, and the Volkswagen ID.4 was third. The study ranks cars based on how much they’re made in the US. It considers parts from both the US and Canada as domestic. While Tesla uses parts from China, Musk Slams Navarro for his ignorance as they still make many parts in America.
Musk argued that Tesla is the most “vertically integrated” car maker in the country. This means they make more parts in the US than other car companies. He felt this proved that Tesla was doing more for the US economy than people thought. Tesla is working hard to reduce its reliance on foreign parts.
Musk vs. Navarro: Tariffs and Market Trouble
The argument between Musk and Navarro got bigger after Trump’s tariffs. These tariffs hurt Tesla, Musk said. The stock market dropped when the tariffs were announced. Musk lost billions of dollars. Navarro argued the tariffs would eventually help. But Musk wasn’t convinced. He mocked Navarro’s view and pointed out that his economic education didn’t help him see the bigger picture. This is another instance where Musk slams Navarro for his views.
Musk shared his frustration about the tariffs and their impact on his company. He even said a PhD from Harvard wasn’t a good thing. He felt that Navarro’s education made him arrogant but not wise. Navarro tried to defend the tariffs. He said Musk, as a “car person,” just wanted cheaper foreign parts. But Musk pushed back, saying Tesla was one of the most American-made companies.
Trump Supports Tesla Amidst Disagreements
Trump has praised Musk and Tesla. He called Musk a “patriot” and defended him at the White House. Trump believed Musk was a symbol of American success. However, Musk’s disagreement with Trump’s inner circle showed the tension between the two. Musk had recently left his government role with Trump’s administration. This move surprised many.
Musk had also reached out to Trump, asking him to reconsider the tariffs. But his efforts weren’t successful. Despite Musk’s concerns, Trump and his team continued to support the tariffs. They believed it would ultimately help the US economy. Musk, however, disagreed. He didn’t see the tariffs as beneficial for Tesla or other companies like it, which is why Musk slams the policy.
Economic Impact of Tariffs
The tariffs have caused more than just a fight between Musk and Navarro. Experts are concerned about their impact on the economy. They warn that the tariffs could lead to inflation. Higher prices would hurt American families. It could also cause a recession. Musk said the tariffs were damaging his company. Tesla saw a drop in sales, and its stock price fell this year.
The overall impact of the tariffs is still unclear. But some experts believe they could cause long-term damage. While some economists support the tariffs, others worry about their effects. They fear higher costs for American families and businesses.
Trade Policy Defended by Greer
Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, defended the tariffs. He argued that they were already working. Nearly 50 countries had reached out to the US to discuss trade deals. Greer said that countries like Argentina, Vietnam, and Israel offered to reduce their own tariffs. At the same time, US companies were investing more in America. They announced new investments worth trillions of dollars.
However, some members of Congress are still worried. Many Republicans have called for more control over trade policies. They want to make sure the tariffs won’t harm the economy. Even though some trade deals have been made, there’s still uncertainty. Many lawmakers want to see more progress before fully supporting the tariffs.
Conclusion: Ongoing Trade Debate
The debate over tariffs continues. Musk and Navarro are just two voices in the ongoing argument. Musk believes Tesla is helping the US economy by making more parts here. Navarro, along with Trump’s team, believes tariffs are the best way to boost the economy. Whether the tariffs will help or hurt in the long run is still unknown. The effects of these policies will continue to be felt by companies like Tesla and by everyday Americans. The fight between Musk and Navarro is just one part of a much bigger issue.
