ROME, April 6:  U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk stated on Saturday that he hopes to see complete freedom of trade between the United States and Europe in the future, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on trading partners.

Musk, a Trump adviser who has been advocating for the reduction of wasteful U.S. public spending, spoke via video link at a congress held by Italy's right-wing League Party in Florence.

Musk expressed his desire for a tariff-free trade zone between Europe and North America, saying, “At the end of the day, I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States should ideally move towards a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone.”

Trump’s tariff plans, announced on Wednesday, include a 20% tariff on imports from Italy, which has a large trade surplus with the U.S., as well as other European Union nations.

During his interview with League leader Matteo Salvini, Musk, who has supported right-wing parties across Europe, also called for greater freedom of movement between Europe and the United States. “If people wish to work in Europe or wish to work in North America, they should be allowed to do so in my view,” he stated, adding that this advice has been shared with President Trump.

Musk, who has previously shown close ties with Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, has also expressed support for Salvini's League. Both parties have a hard-right agenda focused on law-and-order policies, tax cuts, and cracking down on irregular immigration.

Earlier on Saturday, Italy’s Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, a member of the League, emphasized that the government seeks “de-escalation” in its relationship with the U.S. after Trump's tariff announcement, cautioning against the imposition of retaliatory tariffs.

In a recent expression of gratitude, Musk thanked Salvini after the League leader suggested that Italy should adopt Musk's Starlink satellite communications system