Overview

• Newly leaked State Department memos show U.S. embassies pressured nations to expedite Starlink licensing, often in connection with ongoing trade and tariff discussions.
• Lesotho granted Starlink a 10-year license shortly after President Trump announced 50% tariffs on its goods, with officials citing the move as a goodwill gesture in trade negotiations.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed directives instructing diplomatic staff to advocate for Starlink’s market entry as a counter to Chinese and Russian satellite competitors.
• Countries like Cambodia and India reportedly expedited Starlink approvals, viewing it as a way to improve trade relations and avoid punitive U.S. tariffs.
• The White House denies any conflicts of interest, framing the advocacy for Starlink as a patriotic effort to bolster American technology in global markets.