GeopoliticsMedium•18 October 2026•
1 min read
US Warns EU of Trade Retaliation Over Starlink Spectrum Restrictions
Key Facts
1US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warned of severe retaliation if Brussels limits Starlink's access to satellite-to-smartphone spectrum.
2The EU Commission is proposing to reserve specific satellite spectrum for European operators, potentially excluding US and Chinese firms.
3Washington also criticized proposed EU Cloud and AI acts and fines under the Digital Markets Act.
US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warned of severe retaliation if Brussels limits Starlink's access to satellite-to-smartphone spectrum. The Financial Times reported that the warning follows an EU Commission proposal to reserve specific satellite frequencies exclusively for European operators, a move that could potentially exclude US and Chinese firms like SpaceX from the market.
Washington also criticized proposed EU Cloud and AI acts along with fines issued under the Digital Markets Act. Regarding related financial instruments, SPCX closed at $146.03 on October 16, 2026, after trading between a day high of $147.92 and a day low of $142.95 during that session.