Elon Musk Criticizes U.S. Solar Tariffs at Davos, Flags Tesla Robot Sales and Self-Driving Approval - TSLA

Elon Musk criticized U.S. solar tariffs during his debut appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, calling them a major obstacle to affordable solar deployment despite the country’s potential to meet all electricity needs through solar power. He said high tariff barriers artificially inflate solar costs, hindering progress even as demand surges due to AI-driven data centers. Musk, speaking with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, emphasized that a small fraction of states like Utah, Nevada, or New Mexico could generate enough solar energy for the entire U.S. He also previewed aggressive goals for Tesla, including humanoid robot sales next year and European approval for self-driving technology within weeks. The discussion touched on AI safety, with Musk cautioning against unchecked robotics development, referencing the "Terminator" films. His remarks come amid global scrutiny of xAI’s Grok chatbot over explicit content, prompting regulatory actions in Europe and Asia. Musk’s presence at Davos marks a shift from past criticism of the forum, aligning with growing influence through SpaceX, X, and xAI.