A European Commission spokesperson said Friday that Elon Musk would be “very welcome” in Europe, as tensions between the tech billionaire and U.S. President Donald Trump continue to rise, according to AFP.
The comment followed a sharp public fallout between Musk and Trump on Thursday, ending what had been a close political relationship.
President Trump expressed disappointment over Musk’s recent criticisms, sparking a heated social media exchange. Trump then hinted at revoking federal contracts worth an estimated $18 billion awarded to Musk’s companies. In response, Musk threatened to withdraw support from a key U.S. space program.
During a daily press briefing, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho was asked whether Musk had shown interest in relocating or launching new ventures in Europe. “He’s very welcome,” she replied with a smile.
Thomas Regnier, a Commission spokesperson on tech affairs, added that Europe remains open to innovation. “Everyone is welcome to start and scale in the EU,” he said, referencing the “Choose Europe” initiative that promotes startups and business expansion within the bloc.
Despite Musk’s frequent criticism of EU regulations—particularly on digital policy and alleged support for far-right movements—the Tesla and SpaceX CEO may be reconsidering his U.S. base due to the deepening conflict with the Trump administration.
The rift reportedly stems from Trump’s proposed federal spending bill, which includes cuts to electric vehicle subsidies—a move that triggered a sharp drop in Tesla stock prices.
