German Minister Slams Musk’s Zero-Tariff Plea as Weak, Fearful Response to Trump’s Tariffs
Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister, criticized Elon Musk’s proposal for zero US-Europe tariffs, viewing it as a panicked reaction to President Trump’s recently imposed tariffs. Habeck argued that Musk’s suggestion is a sign of weakness stemming from the ensuing economic turmoil, urging Musk to address Trump directly before discussing tariff reduction. Trump’s tariffs triggered significant market drops, with the S&P 500 plunging 10% in two days and the Nasdaq 100 entering a bear market. International responses to the tariffs range from retaliatory measures by China and Canada to a more measured approach from the UK and Australia, underscoring the escalating global trade tensions.
John Q. Hosedrinker