US threatens Europe with countermeasures over SpaceX
A US ambassador warns of serious consequences if the European Union restricts American satellite companies in the allocation of radio spectrum.
Follow-up to: Zelensky: Starlink restriction applies only to Ukraine Saturday, 17 October 2026, 15:57
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
.jpg){kind=link}
The United States is threatening ‘devastating’ countermeasures if the European Union gives American companies such as SpaceX less access to radio spectrum. The warning came from Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the EU, according to a report published by Reuters.
The issue centres on the allocation of scarce frequencies for mobile satellite services. According to Reuters, the European Commission wants to allocate the largest share of valuable spectrum to European companies. American businesses would consequently have less room to offer services on the European market.
According to Reuters, Puzder calls such an approach a possible form of discrimination against American companies. At the same time, he acknowledges that Europe wants to protect sensitive government information and strategic infrastructure. It is unclear what specific measures Washington would take if the EU proceeded with its plans.
The debate has gained additional weight because of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite network. Ukrainian officials reported earlier this week that mobile Starlink terminals had suddenly been subjected to speed restrictions. According to American and Ukrainian sources, this mainly affected communications involving moving military systems.
The precise reason for the restriction is unclear. It has not been established whether Ukraine was warned in advance. It has not been confirmed that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and American officials said decisions about the military system ultimately remain under American control.
The European debate formally concerns spectrum policy and market access, not a decision to switch off Starlink. If strategic autonomy is the priority, the experience in Ukraine underlines the importance of reducing dependence on a single commercial provider for vital communications.
For European telecoms and satellite companies, a preference for EU-based providers could create opportunities. At the same time, restricting non-European companies could reduce competition, delay investment or lead to American countermeasures against European businesses.
The new development compared with the earlier Starlink reporting is the direct warning from Washington to Brussels. There is no formal US sanctions decision yet, nor has a definitive European spectrum arrangement been announced.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The US ambassador to the European Union has warned of serious American countermeasures if the EU restricts American companies’ access to parts of the European market.
- The European Commission is working on a spectrum allocation in which European companies would receive a larger share of valuable mobile satellite frequencies.
- SpaceX operates Starlink and plays an important role in satellite communications, including in Ukraine.
- No definitive European arrangement or concrete package of American countermeasures has yet been announced.
Left
Arguments The EU should not allow strategic infrastructure to depend on a single American company that can restrict services without full public oversight. European preferences in spectrum allocation can protect the public interest, digital autonomy and continuity of communications.
Values Public oversight, strategic autonomy, solidarity and limiting the power of major technology companies.
Consequences A European approach could reduce dependence, but might also increase costs and lead to American trade or market measures.
Centre
Arguments The EU should assess suppliers on equal and transparent terms, with exceptions for demonstrable security risks. A transitional arrangement and dialogue with Washington could prevent market policy from turning into a transatlantic conflict.
Values Regulatory certainty, proportionality, competition and institutional cooperation.
Consequences A compromise could preserve competition and cooperation, but might slow Europe’s ambition to build its own infrastructure.
Right
Arguments The EU should not disadvantage foreign companies through protectionist spectrum rules. Competition and free market access are likely to deliver faster innovation and better services; security concerns should be addressed separately and in a targeted manner.
Values Free trade, entrepreneurship, technological innovation and restrained government intervention.
Consequences An open market could make services available more cheaply and quickly, but would leave Europe vulnerable to decisions by a foreign provider.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based on recent Reuters reporting and official European information on space and communications security. The text clearly distinguishes between the new American warning, earlier Starlink restrictions and decisions that have not yet been taken.
- confirmed The US ambassador to the EU warned of devastating countermeasures. — Reuters reporting, reproduced by Devdiscourse, attributes this warning to Andrew Puzder. source
- confirmed The European Commission wants to allocate the largest share of valuable mobile satellite spectrum to European companies. — The Reuters report describes this as the reason for the warning. source
- confirmed Ukraine reported earlier speed restrictions for moving Starlink terminals. — AP reports discussions about lifting a speed limit for military satellite communications. source
- uncertain There is no formal American sanctions decision yet. — The sources consulted report a warning, but do not provide a complete overview of all American internal decisions. source
Editor's note
The American warning is based on Reuters reporting on statements by Ambassador Puzder. The precise European spectrum plans and any American countermeasures have not yet been finalised; accounts of the earlier Starlink restriction differ.Sources
- Washington warns of retaliation if EU curbs access for US firms — Devdiscourse / Reuters
- The new EU Space Threat Response Architecture explained — European External Action Service
- Presidential adviser says Ukraine is in talks to lift speed limit on military satellite network — Associated Press
The story so far
- Friday, 16 October 2026, 22:23 Trump denies US responsibility for restrictions on Ukraine’s satellite connections
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 15:57 Zelensky: Starlink restriction applies only to Ukraine
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 22:40 US threatens Europe with countermeasures over SpaceX (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „spacex starlink”
- de Volkskrant — „spacex starlink”
- NOS — „spacex starlink”