FT News Briefing
Are Musk’s ties jeopardising Starlink?
Mar 25, 2025
China is mulling a massive subsidy plan to boost its sluggish economy, while SAP has surged to become Europe’s top tech giant, eclipsing Novo Nordisk. BYD has also celebrated a remarkable milestone with record sales exceeding $100 billion. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Starlink is poised for a dominant year, but his ties to Donald Trump are turning problematic, complicating its future. The intersection of technology, geopolitics, and personal controversies paints a challenging landscape for Musk's ventures.
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Quick takeaways
- China's potential multibillion-dollar subsidies for services aim to boost consumer spending amidst weak economic demand.
- Elon Musk's political ties to Donald Trump could threaten Starlink's market position and invite criticism, especially from European competitors.
Deep dives
China's Economic Subsidies
China is contemplating extensive economic subsidies to stimulate its service sector, including travel and tourism. These subsidies aim to lower consumer costs and encourage spending, potentially launching in the second half of the year if consumption trends remain subdued. Previous attempts at similar measures have mainly benefited producers rather than consumers, leading economists to express skepticism about their effectiveness. Nevertheless, there is hope that these initiatives could rekindle consumer activity and bolster economic growth amidst ongoing financial challenges.
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