James Paul 
The alliance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump could cost the technology magnate dear. While the Pavane Multimillionaire alongside the American President while managing this puppet government department that is the DOGE, its European rivals are advancing their pawns. Two sectors are in their viewfinder: Satellite communications and electric vehicles.
Modus Operandi? Take advantage of growing worries Around the political implications of the South African businessman’s commercial empire.
Starlink: the European sling
Since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, the Satellite Starlink internet service in SpaceX has played a decisive role in Ukrainian military communications. The armed forces were able to communicate, coordinate their operations and collect information thanks to a more resilient network in the face of the Russian surge. Without the Musk business that provided free; largely; its services in the country, The conflict would have taken another turn.
Reverse of the medal: a disturbing technological dependence. Musk, as a SpaceX owner, has a unilateral control over the Starlink service; It therefore means that it has the power to cut Ukraine’s network at any time, for any reason. And Maybe that’s what’s going on right now behind the scenes of Washington.
According to information reported by ReutersUS officials would have mentioned the possibility of Cut kyiv access to Starlink. Although Musk denied this information, the recent acts of the United States government vis-à-vis Ukraine suggest that this risk cannot be ignored.
It was necessary for the French company Eutelsat, giant of the satellite communications sector in Europe, to seize the opportunity. It announced Tuesday to be in talks with the European Union to extend its Internet service to Ukraine, an alternative that was bottled outside the country. This announcement propelled the actions of the company, who jumped 77 % in a single day.
The distrust of Starlink grows, and was also manifested in the words of the CEO of Thales, Patrice Caine: ” Government actors require reliability, transparency and constancy. A speaker who – as we have repeatedly noted – confuses economic interests and political motivations does not inspire certain customers to certain customers ». A barely disguised throat tackle.
Tesla in the Polestar viewfinder
The repercussions of Musk’s political positions continue to spread like wildfire. Internally, it has been rumbling since the start of the year within the company and across the Atlantic, anti-Musk demonstrations were carried out last week and the latter’s reaction did not convince.
What could be better than the ambient Bérézina to play its cards? POLESTAR (Swedish car manufacturer specializing in high -end electric vehicles) quickly capitalized on this context by offering discounts to the owners of Tesla wishing to acquire her new SUV.
According to Jordan Hofmann, Sales manager of Polestar in the United States, This strategy met with dazzling success. “” This week has experienced some of the highest days of orders for the Polestar 3 “, He wrote on LinkedIn.
The strategy aimed at exploiting Musk’s political controversies So seems to bear his first fruits. Would the old darling of the markets have forgotten one of the golden rules of capitalism as it tries to make its way in politics? When you become a risk or nuisance for business, We quickly find him a replacement.
- The rapprochement between Elon Musk and Donald Trump arouses concerns that weaken his businesses, offering European players an opportunity in the sectors of satellites and electric vehicles.
- Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on an infrastructure controlled by Musk, especially in Ukraine, where alternatives to its emerging communication network.
- The political choices of the billionaire begin to weigh on Tesla, encouraging competitors to attract its customers with targeted offers and thus taking advantage of the climate of increasing distrust.
