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Trump blocks electric car law and attacks Musk: ‘This is why he doesn’t like me’

The president signs a resolution against California’s ban on petrol vehicles. Another jab at Musk after tensions between the two

Donald Trump today signed congressional resolutions blocking California’s law to phase out petrol vehicles by 2035, arguing that the law would put excessive pressure on the American car market. ‘That’s why Elon doesn’t like me so much anymore,’ said the president, referring to Elon Musk, founder of Tesla.

He then added: ‘But actually, he likes me,’ he said, commenting on a post published yesterday by Musk on X, in which the entrepreneur said he was “sorry” for some verbal attacks during their recent public dispute, admitting that he had ‘gone too far’.

Trump also recalled how Musk had initially supported his election campaign, despite his programme including the abolition of incentives for electric cars. ‘I was surprised that he supported me,’ he explained, ‘because I couldn’t do anything good for him. I would have abolished the requirement for electric cars. I asked him about it once, and he replied, “Well, if it applies to everyone, I’ll be able to compete.”’

Finally, the president also issued a new warning to traditional car manufacturers: ‘I may raise tariffs on cars in the not too distant future,’ he said. ‘The more we raise tariffs on those who manufacture abroad, the more likely they are to build plants here in the United States.’

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