The US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, has warned that European companies face devastating retaliation from Washington if Brussels proceeds with plans to restrict American rivals like Elon Musk's SpaceX. This follows the European Commission's proposal to reserve spectrum bands for European satellite players, limiting frequencies for companies like SpaceX's Starlink. Puzder argued that making US companies less competitive will not make European firms more competitive, stating, "You don't make European companies more competitive by making US companies less competitive." The proposed spectrum changes have drawn fierce criticism from SpaceX, which warns the move risks poorer connectivity in Ukraine, where its service is critical for civilian and military communications.
Beyond Starlink, the article notes a broader EU push for technological sovereignty, including the Cloud and AI Development Act, aimed at reducing dependence on US technology amid concerns about the unpredictability of the Trump administration. Puzder criticized the EU's enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, suggesting it may be aimed at generating revenue through multibillion-euro fines on American companies rather than genuine competition concerns. He urged Brussels and Washington to cooperate against China rather than fighting each other, echoing Trump's warning that the worst outcome would be losing the AI race to China.
The ambassador concluded that the US has the advantage in this race but would find it easier if working with Europe rather than fighting it.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing