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Only three days after President Trump announced sweeping tariffs, including a 20 percent tariff on goods<\/a> from the European Union, Elon Musk said on Saturday that he hoped that Europe and the United States moved \u201cto a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free-trade zone.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Musk made the remarks during a videoconference appearance with Italy\u2019s far-right League party in Florence. They came after the tech billionaire turned presidential confidant had stayed largely silent about Mr. Trump\u2019s tariffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n During Mr. Trump\u2019s first term, Mr. Musk had said there should be \u201cno tariffs at all either way\u201d between the United States and Britain.<\/p>\n Mr. Musk also said that he hoped that the United States and Europe could \u201cestablish a very close partnership,\u201d <\/em>a statement that contrasted with the <\/em>contempt members of Mr. Trump\u2019s administration have shown for Europe<\/a>, and statements by Mr. Trump himself, who claimed the European Union was created to \u201cscrew\u201d America. He added that he wished there were \u201cmore freedom of people to move between Europe and North America.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mr. Musk\u2019s appearance at the League\u2019s meeting, in which he warned of the dangers of censorship and mass immigration, came as he continued to use his influence to bolster far-right forces across Europe.<\/p>\n Just a day earlier, Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump had voiced support for Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader<\/a>, who was convicted this week on embezzlement charges and disqualified from running for public office. Earlier this year, Mr. Musk publicized the German far-right<\/a> Alternative for Germany party and weighed into Italy\u2019s immigration debate, prompting the country\u2019s president to rebuke him<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Saturday, he appeared at the party conference with Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League party. During his brief intervention, Mr. Musk also promoted the activities of his cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency, supported Mr. Trump\u2019s position on the war in Ukraine and attacked what he called the overregulation of the European Union.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n