United States has pushed some nations facing tariffs imposed by Donald Trump to approve Elon Musk’s Starlink, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing State Department cables.

The cables show how U.S. embassies and the department pushed countries to clear hurdles for satellite companies, often mentioning Starlink by name, the Post reported.

The documents do not show that the Trump administration has demanded favors for Starlink in exchange for lower tariffs, the newspaper reported. But they indicate that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed officials to push for regulatory approvals for Musk’s satellite firm, it reported.

  • Fourest@sh.itjust.works
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    5 hours ago

    Hope these countries understand anytime there is any type of dispute with the US either directly or indirectly there will be a threat of turning off the internet. Mask proved he will do this with the Ukraine.

  • Binky@lemmy.sdf.org
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    8 hours ago

    Government corruption at its most obvious…. Shouldn’t these people be arrested and banned from government by now?

    • hOrni@lemmy.world
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      7 hours ago

      These people control the "arresting and banning’ people so they can do what they want. That’s kinda what dictatorship is all about.

      • Binky@lemmy.sdf.org
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        3 hours ago

        Yeah. I know. I’m just venting really. Remembering the good old days when congress would do their jobs.

    • yuknowhokat@lemmy.world
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      7 hours ago

      Not just most obvious but it’s blatant. Expecting receipt of something of value in return for government action is the actual definition of corruption

    • Optional@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Reminds me of warning my friends not to give google and facebook all their personal information.

      (Spoiler alert: they did)

  • shawn1122@lemm.ee
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    7 hours ago

    A public office should not be promoting a private enterprise. That’s not what tax dollars are for. Musk can pay for marketing and advertising like the rest of his competitors do.

    Hopefully other nations see this cronyism and tell the US administration to stuff it.