ROME, April 5 (Reuters) - U.S. tech-billionaire Elon

Musk said on Saturday he hoped in future to see complete freedom

of trade between the United States and Europe, speaking days

after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs on trading

partners.

Musk, a Trump adviser who has been working to eliminate

wasteful U.S. public spending, spoke via video-link at a

congress in Florence of Italy's right-wing, co-ruling League

Party.

"At the end of the day, I hope it's agreed that both Europe

and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero

tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between

Europe and North America," Musk said.

Under Trump's plans announced on Wednesday, Italy, which has

a large trade surplus with the United States, will be subject to

a general tariff of 20% along with other European Union

countries.

Interviewed by League leader Matteo Salvini, Musk, who has

repeatedly expressed support for right-wing parties across

Europe, said he also hoped to see 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," Musk said,

adding that this "has certainly been my advice to the

president."

Musk, who has been close in the past to Italy's rightist

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party,

has also expressed support for Salvini's League.

Both groups have a hard-right agenda based on law-and-order,

tax cuts and cracking down on irregular immigration.

Italy's Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, who is from

the League, said earlier on Saturday the government wanted

"de-escalation" with the U.S. following Trump's tariff

announcement, and warned against imposing retaliatory tariffs.

Musk last month expressed gratitude to Salvini after the

League chief said Italy should pick his Starlink company to

obtain a system for satellite communications.