1w ago

Elon Musk's zero-tariff proposal with Europe is a sign of weakness and fear, German economy minister says

www.businessinsider.com

Summary

Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck criticized Elon Musk’s proposal for zero tariffs between the US and Europe, calling it a “sign of weakness” driven by fear of economic fallout.

Habeck said Musk should instead pressure Trump to lift the newly imposed tariffs, including those targeting the European Union.

Musk’s call for zero tariffs comes amid market chaos after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which included a 20% rate on the EU. The S&P 500 plunged 10% and the Nasdaq 100 entered a bear market.

The EU prepared retaliatory measures, while China and Canada vowed to respond. Analysts warned of rising recession risks amid escalating global trade tensions.

BoycottUnitedStates @europe.pub

tfm @europe.pub

1w ago

Elon Musk's zero-tariff proposal with Europe is a sign of weakness and fear, German economy minister says

www.businessinsider.com /elon-musks-zero-tariff-proposal-europe-weakness-german-economy-minister-2025-4

Europe @feddit.org

Hubi @feddit.org

1w ago

Elon Musk's zero-tariff proposal with Europe is a sign of weakness and fear, German economy minister says

www.businessinsider.com /elon-musks-zero-tariff-proposal-europe-weakness-german-economy-minister-2025-4

46 comments

Melon is trying to protect Tesla but the fun part is it's too late.
- Please don't insult delicious Melons like that.
  What did Rockmelon or tasty Honey Dew Melon do to be compared to 'ol musky?
  
  You can't spell melon without Elon, as the saying goes.
- Not just Tesla, spaceX and starlink too. EU govs are looking for alternatives
- Protect something he repeatedly smashed with his own nazi stunts. Good luck to him.
- Melon Husk now realise he doesn't always get to hold the controller.

It's afraid.

Elmo: How about 0 tariffs? Habeck:

It's a sign of greed. Musk wants to sell his Teslas and doesn't care about stepping all over Trump's "plans" for it.
I can't wait to see his reaction to that.
- Two narcissists in the same room. They're already stepping on each other.

Elon is baby hitler.
- Mustash man was good at PoE tho /s

Fear and Loathing in Global Politics

As we used to sing about South Africa We gotta keep the pressure on. We gotta keep the pressure on.

- The EU started negotiations for a free trade agreement in 2015 during Obama, then the orange threw the proposal out in 2016. Now in 2025 he imposed the tariffs, then announced he'd be willing to negotiate new trade terms and the EU opened the drawer and got out that proposal from 10 years ago.
  Basically what the EU always wanted in the first place.
  
  Talk about reading the big book of the deal!
- If you read the article you'd see he called it weakness because he's throwing it as a moaning soundbite during a meeting with European leaders; and if he had any stones he'd level it directly to Trump - like the EU did.
  
  So, you are saying, EU is doing a great courageous job proposing no tariffs after Orange attacked EU and whole world with tariffs first?
- There was no need for tariffs in the first place. This was a unilateral trade war based on absolute stupidity on Donnie's part and the desire to crash the markets so the rich can buy up whatever they like at a discount.
  
  I would stay with absolute stupidity until proven there are hidden more complex interests there. But sure, it's not impossible.
- The zero tariffs thing?
  That's something the EU proposed the 1st Shit Show™ and is an off ramp they are giving Asshole. Don't confuse it with capitulation. It's something the EU has wanted for a while.
  
  Sure and how did it go when Orange flatly rejected it? I'm sure Orange will now think twice before slapping more tariffs?
- Of course it is. I hope that's not true. Where did you read this?
  
  It's all over media, ie https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/international-relations/eu-offers-zero-tariff-deal-to-us-but-prepares-for-trade-war/ar-AA1CsXUU

My god, don't call someone with a fragile ego "weak and afraid" if you want to negotiate with them ffs. Make them think they're doing the right thing!
- Believe it or not, some people think that the press’s job is to tell the truth about what’s going on, and people can deal with it however they deal with it.
  
  This is commonly forgotten anymore.
  
  I'm not saying the press shouldn't do their job, which is exactly what you say it is. That part I agree with. But Germany's economy minister is the one I was addressing.
- Someone who uses their own child as a human shield is "weak and afraid".
  
  I'm not debating that. He is indeed.
- I see it as a power move from Germany indirectly saying: that elon should deal with backing trump.
  
  I mean sure, if you're not interested in making deals, let's go all out on calling people out. Then I don't have any issue. 💪
- The minister is also a Conservative MAGA fan. This is the CDP.
  The far right in SA/NZ/Australia are pro-EU. That's why they were so confused about Brexit.
  Of course they would be pro-Europe, how could they be anything else ?
  
  The minister is also a Conservative MAGA fan
  Who now? Robert Habeck?

Trumps plan is disruption, chaos and damage.
Or just the largest scale market manipulation ever and he bought his self made dip. Then lift tarrifs again. Profit.
Though more likely hes either a saboteur or just utterly incompetent.
- ~~Trumps~~ Putin's plan is disruption, chaos and damage
- The plan of those pulling Trump's strings is disruption, chaos, and damage.
  Trump's plan is to wear the big boy pants and prove to everyone he's the biggest of boys.
- Chaos is a ladder
- Creating a Bear market to use like his father used?

46 comments