The head of the US Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk personally asked US President Donald Trump to reconsider new US tariffs on imports from a number of countries, the Washington Post reported, citing two sources.

According to Sputnik, the Washington Post reported that over the weekend, when Musk unleashed a stream of messages on social media criticising one of the White House's top advisers - trade aide Peter Navarro - for Trump's aggressive tariff plan, he personally approached the president.

The attempt, however, has not yet been successful: Trump on Monday threatened to add new 50 percent tariffs on imports from China on top of those already announced if Beijing did not abandon its retaliatory measures, the newspaper said.

On Sunday, Musk (above) announced his support for the creation of a free trade area with the EU, despite Trump's previously imposed trade tariffs against the union.

The US president signed an executive order on April 2 introducing "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from other countries, calling it a "liberation".

The basic minimum rate will be 10 percent, and 20 percent for goods from the European Union. The US President promised budget revenue from tariffs of US$6-US$7 trillion (RM32 trillion).

- Bernama

M'sia to dispatch officials to Washington, initiate tariff talks - Anwar

M'sia to dispatch officials to Washington, initiate tariff talks - Anwar

COMMENT | Trump's tariffs: Market jitters, but impact likely limited

COMMENT | Trump's tariffs: Market jitters, but impact likely limited

Asean: Retaliatory tariffs present challenges, opportunities for grouping

Asean: Retaliatory tariffs present challenges, opportunities for grouping

YOURSAY | Tariff mitigation plans more important than vilifying Trump

YOURSAY | Tariff mitigation plans more important than vilifying Trump