US threatens EU with retaliatory measures over possible restrictions on SpaceX
The United States may impose economic measures against European companies if the European Union restricts American technology corporations' access to the satellite communications market. The potential restrictions concern, in particular, Elon Musk's SpaceX, which is developing the Starlink satellite network.
This was stated by the United States Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder in an interview with the Financial Times, published on October 19.
According to the diplomat, European businesses should take into account the possibility of American retaliation against restrictions on US companies. He warned that due to the scale of the American market, the consequences for individual European enterprises could be extremely serious.
The cause of the dispute was a proposal by the European Commission to reserve part of the radio frequency spectrum for European satellite communication operators. This concerns frequencies needed for direct connection of smartphones to satellites without using traditional terrestrial mobile networks.
Such rules could limit the opportunities for American companies SpaceX and Amazon, as well as Chinese operators, in the European market.
In May 2026, the European Commission presented a proposal for a new procedure for allocating frequencies in the 2 GHz band. Current authorizations for their use expire in May 2027. Brussels proposes to introduce an EU-wide selection procedure for operators, which should take into account security, defense, and technological development needs.
European authorities explain the initiative by the need to strengthen the region's technological independence and reduce the critical infrastructure's dependence on foreign suppliers.
At the same time, Puzder believes that support for European business should not be achieved by worsening competitive conditions for American companies.
"You will not make European companies more competitive by making American companies less competitive", the ambassador emphasized.
He acknowledged the EU's right to protect confidential state information, but cautioned against using regulation to give advantages to local producers.
Separate concern about the new rules was expressed by SpaceX. The company warned that restricting access to satellite frequencies could negatively affect the quality of communications in Ukraine, where Starlink is used for civilian and military needs.
However, the proposed changes have not yet entered into force, and their concrete impact on Starlink's operation in Ukraine has not been determined.
The dispute over satellite communications has become part of a broader conflict between Washington and Brussels over tech market regulation.
Puzder also criticized the application of the European Digital Markets Act. He questioned whether the multibillion-dollar fines on American technology companies are solely aimed at protecting competition, or are also used to increase EU budget revenues.
According to the American diplomat, excessive regulatory restrictions could deter investment by US technology companies in Europe.
Instead of intensifying trade contradictions, Puzder called on the United States and the European Union to join forces in the development of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where both sides compete with China.
The European Commission, for its part, stressed that the proposed rules should stimulate the emergence of new European providers and diversify the market, while still leaving opportunities for operators from outside the EU.
So far, Washington has not announced concrete restrictive measures against European companies. The further development of the dispute will depend on the final content of the European regulation.
Based on materials from: Financial Times, European Commission
