Ramaphosa Denies Starlink Discussions in Meeting with Trump
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denied that satellite internet service Starlink was discussed during his meeting with Donald Trump. He noted numerous other companies interested in this market and emphasized the need for a supportive investment environment, prioritizing public participation in the decision-making process.
In a recent statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was not a topic of discussion during his meeting with United States President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists post his address at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in South Africa, Ramaphosa noted, “Many people believe that we went to Washington to discuss Starlink. That is not so.”
Despite Musk’s involvement in the U.S. delegation, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is familiar with low-orbit satellites for internet access. He highlighted that there are numerous companies—ranging from local to international including Chinese, Russian, and European firms—that express interest in the telecommunications space. Indeed, he articulated, “People tend to focus on one company only, and yet, we’ve got a plethora of companies that would want to get into this space.”
Moreover, Ramaphosa underlined the necessity of a supportive environment for investment in satellite internet services. He insisted that the approach to developing this sector should be comprehensively planned and permitted. Moreover, he indicated that public and stakeholder input is critical, stressing the importance of extensive discussions and backing from both key industry players and ordinary citizens.
The meeting with President Trump, which took place last Wednesday, was primarily aimed at discussing bilateral relations and trade amid rising tensions related to Trump’s controversial allegations surrounding the treatment of white Afrikaner farmers in South Africa, which Ramaphosa firmly denied. This visit notably followed the U.S. Government’s recent initiative to welcome the first group of white South African refugees, further complicating the political discourse.
In summary, President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that discussions around Starlink did not occur during his meeting with President Trump. He pointed out that there are many companies interested in providing satellite internet services, not just Musk’s venture. Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of creating a conducive investment environment, highlighting community engagement and input as crucial for progress in this sector.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
