Is Elon Musk against Trump’s tariffs?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared a video on Monday, the content of which suggests that Donald Trump’s government efficiency bulldog might be at odds with the sweeping tariffs imposed by the US government.

The video shared on X features the late economist Milton Friedman delivering a speech on the global supply chain behind a simple pencil.

Friedman’s speech


Friedman begins with the statement, “There’s not a single person in the world who could make this pencil.” He then details the origins of its components; “The wood from which it’s made, for all I know, comes from a tree that was cut down in the state of Washington. To cut down that tree, it took a saw. To make the saw, it took steel, to make the steel, it took iron ore.”

The economist continues to trace the sources of other parts such as the graphite core, eraser, and paint, illustrating the complex, interconnected process behind producing a single pencil.

Concluding his explanation, he attributes this global collaboration to “the magic of the price system”.

The video ends with Friedman highlighting the importance of free markets, stating that they are vital “not only to promote productive efficiency but even more to foster harmony and peace among the peoples of the world.”

Friedman’s support for free trade suggests a clear contrast with the views of tariff advocates.

This post came after Musk’s dig at Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade adviser and tariff supporter.

He took to X, saying, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains>>1 problem.”

In response, during an interview with Fox News, Navarro said, “Elon, when he’s in his DOGE lane, is great, but we understand what’s going on here. Elon sells cars. He’s simply protecting his own interests.”