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.

  • @[email protected]
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    202 months ago

    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.

  • @[email protected]
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    32 months ago

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

    • Annoyed_🦀
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      62 months ago

      Melon Husk now realise he doesn’t always get to hold the controller.

    • ms.lane
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      172 months ago

      Please don’t insult delicious Melons like that.

      What did Rockmelon or tasty Honey Dew Melon do to be compared to 'ol musky?

        • ms.lane
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          22 months ago

          :(

          Petition to change the fruit descriptor ‘Melon’ to ‘Melo’ - the ‘n’ is wrong anyway since the root latin is ‘Melopepo’

          Rockmelo

          Watermelo

          Honey Dew Melo, etc.

            • ms.lane
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              22 months ago

              Potayto Potatah

              Tomayto Tomahta

              Watermellow Watermelah

              Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.

    • @[email protected]
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      2 months ago

      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.

      • @[email protected]
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        32 months ago

        So, you are saying, EU is doing a great courageous job proposing no tariffs after Orange attacked EU and whole world with tariffs first?

        • @[email protected]
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          82 months ago

          So you’re saying that the EU is amazing and everything they do is correct and good?

          It’s easy when you can just make-pretend what other people say!

          • @[email protected]
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            12 months ago

            Well, he was responding to my criticism of EU indirectly hence my question which he can’t answer for some reason - rather he is not saying anything, not sure why the reply.

            • @[email protected]
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              62 months ago

              “So you’re saying” and “So you think” questions are never honest questions. They’re straw-men.

        • @[email protected]
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          2 months ago

          I’m not saying anything, I’m just relaying what the German economy minister said in context because you didn’t read it.

    • @[email protected]
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      142 months ago

      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.

      • @[email protected]
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        42 months ago

        I would stay with absolute stupidity until proven there are hidden more complex interests there. But sure, it’s not impossible.

    • @[email protected]
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      82 months ago

      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.

      • @[email protected]
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        12 months ago

        Sure and how did it go when Orange flatly rejected it? I’m sure Orange will now think twice before slapping more tariffs?

    • @[email protected]
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      212 months ago

      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.

  • @[email protected]
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    1002 months ago

    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.

  • Victor
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    32 months ago

    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!

      • Victor
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        22 months ago

        I’m not debating that. He is indeed.

    • @[email protected]
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      472 months ago

      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.

      • Victor
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        2 months ago

        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.

    • @[email protected]
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      72 months ago

      I see it as a power move from Germany indirectly saying: that elon should deal with backing trump.

      • Victor
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        2 months ago

        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. 💪

    • @[email protected]
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      12 months ago

      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 ?