Elon Musk Just Gave Europe a Reason to Replace American Technology

jmclnx

> Elon Musk Just Gave Europe a Reason to Replace American Technology Should be "Elon Musk Just Gave Europe yet another Reason to Replace American Technology"

inglor_cz

Reason, absolutely yes, but capability, no. Arianespace has been for decades an extension of the French government, which needed at max several launches per year and didn't give a damn about its market share. As a result, it is seriously behind in reusable rocket development. The space port in Kourou may be the most underused space port in the world, even though its location is unbeatable. I am not sure if this gap can be closed. Maybe some of the smaller startups like Isar Aerospace can do it, but the giants are ossified Molochs. Not that Boeing is any better, ever since absorbing MacDonnell Douglas and its pathological management structure.

javier123454321

https://worksinprogress.co/issue/why-europe-doesnt-have-a-te... Reminds me of this article. Everyone knows that Europeans could compete, and the world stage would welcome it, but they have put themselves into a bind where taking back any social service or loosening regulation and allowing markets to operate would take their air of superiority over stupid Americans and they would rather kill off any chance at becoming world technology players than that. Also it is just political and cultural suicide, ask Paris right now.

DataDive

The only problem of course it is that it costs a lot of money to do so. Money they probably don't have.

ripley12

Lotta "Europe could never build this!" points in here, missing that Telesat (Canadian) is already building this, planning to launch in Q1 2028, and will happily sell to Europe.

elthor89

I think Galileo is an example of how the EU with ESA can create an alternative to a critical US capability. At the same time it is also an example how difficult it is, on a financial, political and commercial level. The US wasn’t happy with it and tried to put pressure not to proceed. In hindsight , It’s good that it did got into orbit. ESA tends to favour French, Italian and German big state owned corporations rather than small start ups. So it will always be a political thing and slow. There just isn’t a company in the EU that can operate like Elon Musk. Even if there was imagine a European company ceo holding that power. How would they use it, can they be coerced by EU countries? Should such a capability be in private hands at all?

chasd00

Why would you rely on another nation for defense infrastructure? It makes zero sense for Europe to rely on starshield in the first place.

notenchange

It might have given a reason, but it’s not like that will actually create anything in Europe. The only thing they can do these days is imposing new regulations of bottle caps. They turned themselves into the laughing stock of the all world: willingly.

owenthejumper

In a normal world, this would be treason by an illegal immigrant to the US. In today's world it's a blip in news. Sad state of affairs :( Europe will absolutely build alternatives. They'll bicker for some time, but in the end, they build. To Americans it looks like they don't but they do. Quality of life, life expectancy, and many factors have outpaced US in the last few years. The tech industry in the US is still important, but the importance will start waning soon.

sleepyguy

As a American Centrist/Independent , I have always believed that the Pentagon/DoD would always remain in control and be the decision makers when it comes to everything from Intelligence to comms to equipment and ordinance. But after what this Administration has done, I can no longer trust that they will act in the interests of the American people and Americas allies. This Administration has shown the world that America can never be trusted again and any safety mechanisms that were in place to stop foreign adversary control over the Presidency has failed (Republican house and senate). I am sure I am not alone in my feelings and I would encourage Europe to separate its Defense Industry, Economy/Financial institutions, trade, etc as quickly as humanly possible. Trump and the Republicans have shown that there is no friend in America and that with a group as dumb/mentally disabled/uneducated as MAGA, future American Administrations should never be trusted again. As Mark Carney(Canadian PM) has said, "We have recognized from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship" It will be one of the most difficult things Europe will face but it will guarantee your survival and protection from American Hegemony.

__natty__

That’s also great reason to start investing in Europe during next economical cycle

netdur

europe has had a free ride at the rest of the world's expense, whether through security provided by the us, resources stolen from africa, or cheap energy from russia, when others don't give europeans what they want, they complain, and that's about it, replacing starlink? good luck

Zenul_Abidin

Europe should start by reducing the amount of legal paperwork required in running a business, because that is the main reason why founders flee to places such as the US

bix6

Elon and Trump have effectively destroyed America’s soft power which was probably the goal because somehow that makes them richer who knows. Either way the world is no longer going to trust US companies. Europes VC scene is comparatively weak but if I were European I would be investing heavily right now as the local demand for homegrown services will surely skyrocket. This was a huge mistake for American Businesses as the European market will be significantly more difficult to earn now.

LurkandComment

1. EU was slowly doing this in some tech industries and its really going to pick up speed 2. They don't have to replace a lot of US tech before the economic impact compounds to effect the US.

variant

Instead, Europe will add more regulation, suffocating its ability to replace technology with its own.

BLKNSLVR

'Another' reason, it's most definitely not the first reason. Musk is a small cherry on a large cake. After sanctions for the ICC members, Europe should be getting off services that allow the US to perform the sanctions. It's very difficult though, with any organizations that continue to offer services to sanctioned individuals risking cutting themselves off from the lucrative US market. Ironically, Europe might need to learn a few things from Russia. Either way, everyone loses from this kind of behavior. International cooperation is generally the most efficient way of operating. Looks like that's done for until the new world order is settled, and the US is going to flail wildly for a good decade or two to prevent that from happening (despite the current administration accelerating it, under the impression they can win everything, which is now demonstrably categorically false).

npn

Revenue, not profit. I hope Europe all the best but there is a reason why only US companies dominating those space. US companies can operate in lost for many years, because they have deep pocket, and also because they have many way to earn profit.

wnevets

I don't understand why so many Europeans believed Trump in the Whitehouse wouldn't affect them.

tumdum_

ICEYE and Nokia are already working on a replacement for starlink: https://www.iceye.com/newsroom/press-releases/iceye-and-noki... Isar is working hard on commercial launch capabilities: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/sep/06/german-star...