The U.S. government is actively encouraging countries facing American tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump to approve Elon Musk-owned satellite internet company, Starlink, according to internal communications obtained by The Washington Post.
While no explicit trade concessions are being offered in exchange for adopting Starlink, diplomatic cables reveal that “Secretary of State Marco Rubio has increasingly instructed officials to push for regulatory approvals for Musk’s satellite firm,” The Post reports in nations including India, Somalia, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
Swaying in South Asia
For instance, The Post points specifically to the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between the U.S. and India, where India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to Musk’s Starlink to begin the process of regulatory compliance in the South Asian nation, bringing it another step closer to establishing the service in the country, and help the country cement trade deals with the U.S. administration.
Trials in Vietnam
Similarly, Vietnam has allowed full foreign ownership to Musk’s SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, to launch its satellite internet service on a trial basis in the country, a move seen as an “olive branch” amid concerns over U.S. tariff threats, with the trial set to run until the end of 2030.
Meanwhile, President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho, citing the need to protect American industries, reduce trade imbalances, and encourage U.S. companies to source goods domestically or from allied economies.
Comment from the White House
In a statement to The Post, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said “the only consideration in the Trump administration’s trade negotiations with other countries is what’s best for the American people — which includes American companies succeeding at home and abroad” and that President Donald Trump “will not tolerate any conflicts of interest.”
The State Department told the publication in a statement, “Starlink is an American-made product that has been game-changing in helping remote areas around the world gain internet connectivity. Any patriotic American should want to see an American company’s success on the global stage, especially over compromised Chinese competitors.”
The White House maintains that its trade policy is designed to advance American interests, including the global success of U.S. companies. However, some Senate Democrats have voiced concerns about potential conflicts of interest, urging President Trump to examine whether Musk is using his influence to further his private business ventures.
SpaceX has not yet commented on these developments.
