The US government is pushing other countries to adopt Starlink, its satellite internet service. Several countries, including India, Somalia, Lesotho, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, have recently registered to use Starlink.
Internal messages between the US State Department and US embassies show efforts to promote Starlink. These messages don’t guarantee lower import taxes in exchange for using the service. Marco Rubio, a US Senator, has instructed officials to push for more Starlink approvals.
Indian officials have reportedly fast-tracked Starlink’s approval, hoping to secure a trade deal with the US. The White House says its priority in trade talks is “the American people’s interests.” The State Department believes patriotic Americans should want US companies to succeed globally, especially against Chinese rivals.
Concerns Over Elon Musk’s Role
Some US Senators have raised concerns about Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, potentially using his government connections to benefit his business abroad. They’ve called for an investigation into whether Musk has inappropriately used his government role to advance Starlink’s interests.
Background
Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, a company founded by Elon Musk. The service aims to provide global internet coverage, especially in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. The US government’s push for Starlink adoption is seen as a strategic move to promote American technology and counter Chinese influence in the global tech market.
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