The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, announced that the government intends to quickly grant a license to Elon Musk's Starlink for satellite internet provision in the country under a pilot scheme.
This information comes from Reuters.
In February, the Vietnamese parliament approved a temporary framework allowing satellite internet companies to operate in Vietnam while maintaining full control over their local subsidiaries, a condition set forth by Elon Musk.
This marks a sudden shift in Vietnam's stance on ownership by satellite internet providers, as the communist country has strict restrictions on foreign control.
Hanoi is working to avoid U.S. tariffs on its rapidly growing exports, which contributed to a record trade surplus last year, making the Southeast Asian nation vulnerable to reciprocal tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.
During a meeting with nearly 40 representatives of American businesses in Hanoi, Chinh also stated that Vietnam is taking steps to balance its trade surplus with the U.S., referencing potential imports of aircraft, weapons, liquefied natural gas, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals.
