The Trump administration is promoting the international expansion of Starlink: the strategy intertwining technology and diplomacy in trade negotiations

Against the backdrop of the Trump administration's trade war, the U.S. State Department and embassies abroad were revealed to be promoting Musk's Starlink entering various international markets. Although there is no evidence of tariff reductions being used as a bargaining chip, the promotion of Starlink is closely related to trade negotiations, raising concerns about potential government favoritism towards certain companies. The Biden administration has continued this approach, indicating that advancing the global reach of American tech companies is a strategic objective and to compete with China in the global telecommunications arena.

U.S. Foreign Policy Promotes Starlink's Entry into Overseas Markets

According to internal State Department cables and memos obtained by The Washington Post, since the Trump administration implemented a new round of tariff policies, U.S. embassies and State Department officials have repeatedly mentioned Starlink in interactions with foreign governments, encouraging local governments to facilitate regulatory approvals. Although these actions did not explicitly offer tariff reductions in exchange, the timing and interactions between Starlink's advancement and trade negotiations have drawn attention.

For example, just two weeks after Trump announced a 50% tariff on products from the small African nation of Lesotho, the country's communications authority met with Starlink representatives and eventually issued a 10-year network service license. According to a State Department memo, the Lesotho government's move was intended to "demonstrate goodwill towards American businesses" in hopes of making progress in trade negotiations.

Rapid Approvals in India and Other Countries

A similar situation occurred in India. In March 2023, Starlink signed distribution agreements with two Indian telecom operators. Reports indicate that Starlink's market access quickly became a "key issue" after a meeting between Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Modi, prompting the Indian government to expedite the approval process. A source familiar with the Indian government's thinking noted that while Starlink was not an explicit condition of trade negotiations, it was seen as a "catalyst for agreements."

In addition to India and Lesotho, Starlink has also gained partial market access in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Most of these countries are facing U.S. tariff pressures or are actively seeking to mend trade relations with Washington.

The Stance of the State Department and the White House

According to reports, then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed diplomats to promote regulatory approvals for U.S. satellite companies like Starlink in interactions with foreign governments. The State Department stated: "Starlink is a U.S.-made product that significantly changes internet connectivity in remote areas around the world. Any patriotic American should support the success of U.S. businesses on the international stage."

The White House emphasized that the sole consideration in trade negotiations is "the interests of the American people," including assisting U.S. businesses in expanding into overseas markets. Deputy spokesperson Kush Desai stated that President Trump "will not tolerate conflicts of interest," and all officials adhere to ethical standards.

No Explicit Exchange Conditions, but Timing Raises Questions

Although there is currently no evidence that the U.S. government used tariff reductions as an exchange condition, internal documents and actions by multiple governments still indicate Starlink's potential role in trade negotiations. For example, the Lesotho government explicitly stated in a memo that it hoped to demonstrate a welcoming attitude towards American businesses by issuing a Starlink license to facilitate trade talks with the U.S.

Additionally, according to a TechCrunch report, Starlink "directly benefited" from the Trump administration's trade policies, and several memos also noted that some countries believe introducing Starlink could help improve trade relations with the U.S.

Biden Administration Continues Promotion

Notably, the Biden administration has also continued its support for Starlink after taking office. According to cables obtained by The Washington Post, the Biden administration similarly instructed embassies to assist in promoting overseas access for Starlink and other U.S. satellite network services. This indicates that regardless of political party, the U.S. government views promoting domestic tech companies' entry into international markets as a strategic goal.

Policy Maneuvering Amid International Competition

U.S. State Department officials pointed out that one of the backgrounds for promoting Starlink's entry into overseas markets is competition with China in the global telecommunications and satellite network fields. In recent years, China has actively developed low-Earth orbit satellite technology, attempting to provide alternatives competing with Starlink. The U.S. has used trade leverage and diplomatic means to help American companies gain market advantages.

Evan Swarztrauber, a senior fellow at the American Innovation Foundation, stated: "The U.S. should actively assist domestic satellite companies in expanding into overseas markets, or else Chinese companies will benefit."

References

• US pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk's Starlink, Washington Post reports
• US is pushing Starlink on nations facing tariffs: report
• SpaceX’s Starlink has become a big benefactor of Trump’s tariff trade war, leaked memos show | TechCrunch
• US is pushing Starlink on nations facing tariffs as Musk stands to benefit from trade deals: report
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