Starlink Approved in Bangladesh as U.S. Tariffs Threaten Garment Exports

In a strategic move poised to reshape the country’s digital future, Bangladesh has granted regulatory approval for Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to begin operations nationwide. This announcement comes at a critical time, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping new tariff policy that threatens the lifeblood of Bangladesh’s export economy — its garment industry. The timing of these developments has created a dramatic confluence of geopolitics, international trade, and digital innovation. While Starlink’s arrival is being heralded as a game-changer for rural connectivity and economic empowerment, Trump’s newly imposed tariff hikes have overshadowed Bangladesh’s largest export sector. In early 2025, Elon Musk and Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, began discussing the transformative potential of Starlink for the country’s underserved populations. According to Yunus’ media office, the dialogue focused on unlocking new avenues for education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial ventures in rural areas — particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable communities. Starlink’s ability to bypass traditional terrestrial infrastructure gives it unique relevance in Bangladesh, a nation characterized by dense urban hubs and far-flung rural regions that are often digitally disconnected.

In light of the crisis, interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday to evaluate the far-reaching implications of Trump’s tariff decision. Government sources confirmed that Yunus is preparing to send an official letter to Trump, appealing for reconsideration. This diplomatic outreach underscores the urgent need for U.S. cooperation as Bangladesh navigates an economic crossroads.

The interim government — which assumed power in August 2024 following a student-led pro-democracy uprising that ousted the hardline ruling party — views diplomatic engagement with the U.S. as vital for stabilizing the economy and preserving its global trade relationships.

Musk’s growing proximity to U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term has sparked scrutiny. As a high-profile adviser and key economic envoy for the Trump administration, Musk’s meetings with world leaders — including his February summit with Yunus — have raised questions about the blurred boundaries between private enterprise and government diplomacy. While Starlink’s deployment in Bangladesh is largely viewed as a private venture, the geopolitical backdrop lends it complex layers of significance.

The simultaneous arrival of Elon Musk’s Starlink and the shock of Trump’s tariff hike encapsulate Bangladesh’s precarious position on the global stage. On one hand, the nation is poised to become a model of technological leapfrogging — using satellite internet to empower millions. On the other, it faces the very real risk of economic destabilization due to shifting trade policies and geopolitical tensions.

As the world watches closely, Bangladesh must navigate a complex terrain where digital innovation, economic survival, and international diplomacy are now deeply intertwined.