The United States has warned the European Union that European companies could face strong retaliation if Brussels restricts American satellite services such as SpaceX’s Starlink. US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder told the Financial Times that any such move could be “very devastating” for European firms because of the large US market.
The warning follows EU plans to reserve more radio spectrum for European operators. The goal is to strengthen Europe’s own satellite technology and reduce dependence on foreign systems. SpaceX has objected, saying the rules could hurt connectivity in Ukraine, where Starlink supports both civilian and military use.
Puzder said favoring European companies simply to limit US rivals is not a valid goal. The dispute highlights growing tensions over tech independence and reliance on American satellite internet.