SpaceX’s Starlink has become a big benefactor of Trump’s tariff trade war, leaked memos show

techcrunch.comPublished: 5/7/2025

Summary

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service is indirectly benefiting from the Trump administration's tariff trade war through leaked memos, with the U.S. pushing countries like Lesotho for deals despite imposing a 50% tariff. The State Department views these efforts as patriotic, countering China's competition while offering economic incentives. Elon Musk, at the center of these policies, denies any conflict of interest, and SpaceX acknowledges the strategic advantages without financial gain.