[Source/Observer Network Qi Qian] The Trump administration has been threatening Europe since it took office, and now it is pressuring Europe to "choose sides" between China and the United States in technology.

According to a report by the Financial Times on April 15, Brendan Carr, chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission, mentioned China's satellite technology card during an interview. Carr pressured Europe to adopt Starlink technology, and in order to achieve his goal, he forcefully brought up China on this issue. During the interview, he criticized Europe for being "caught between" China and the United States and claimed that "China's rise" is a common threat to the West.

Carr told the Financial Times that he believed Europe was "caught between" Washington and Beijing, and declared that there would be a "huge divide" between countries that choose China and those that choose the United States in areas such as artificial intelligence and satellite technology.

Carr stated, "It would be great if Europe could have its own satellites, and I think the more the better. But more broadly, I think Europe is caught between the United States and China. It's time to make a choice." He then continued with the usual rhetoric, claiming that "allies of Western democracies" need to "focus on the real long-term threat: China's rise."

As reported, Carr is a staunch supporter of Trump and participated in drafting the blueprint "2025 Plan" for the Trump administration released by the right-wing think tank "Heritage Foundation". In addition, Carr has maintained a good relationship with Musk for a long time.

Carr believes that European regulators have "bias" against American tech companies and accused the European Commission of taking a "protectionist" and "anti-American" stance. When talking about the concerns of EU countries about Musk's Starlink technology, he said that politics seems to be affecting long-term decision-making, which is "regrettable." He also claimed that China's satellite technology is "more worrying."

Earlier this year, Carr attended a congressional confirmation hearing for his nomination Video screenshot

Reportedly, these remarks were made when various governments in Europe and some European companies were considering whether Starlink is a reliable partner. Prior to this, Musk and the Trump administration had threatened to cut off Starlink services in Ukraine.

Currently, BT, a British telecommunications company, and others are testing Starlink technology for mobile or broadband services, but none have signed comprehensive agreements with Starlink. The EU side stated that the EU "should fund Ukraine's use of services provided by EU commercial providers." However, experts warned that although the prospects are optimistic, there is currently no European network that can compete with Starlink products.

A spokesperson for the European Commission previously responded that the European Commission "always and will continue to enforce laws fairly and without discrimination on all companies operating in the EU, fully complying with global rules."

Meanwhile, while speaking to the Financial Times, Carr also pressured European telecom companies like Nokia and Ericsson to move more manufacturing operations to the US to avoid tariff strikes. Nokia and Ericsson are the largest suppliers of mobile network infrastructure equipment in the US.

Carr stated that there is a historical "mistake" in US industrial policy, resulting in no important American company being competitive in the telecommunications supplier market. He said, "I don't like where we are now," and promised that if these companies relocate to the US, he would "consider" accelerating the regulatory approval process for their new technologies.

Carr is a long-time ally of Trump US media

Carr reiterates the "China threat theory." However, ironically, after President Trump took office, he caused chaos in transatlantic relations between the US and Europe.

In February this year, Vice President Vance of the United States at the Munich Security Conference said, "What I worry about is the threat from within." At that time, he said that the real threat facing Europe did not come from external forces such as Russia and China, but rather from Europe's own departure from its "most basic values."

These sharp and confrontational remarks left the audience "stunned." The Guardian of Britain pointed out that this indicates that the transatlantic gap is deepening, and the US and Europe are not only different in their views on Russia, but also have huge differences in values and democracy and other deeper issues. European governments can no longer hide this gap.

In addition, according to a report by the Financial Times the other day, due to the Trump administration tightening immigration and entry policies and pressuring European countries with tariffs and security threats, the US tourism industry has suffered a severe impact, and the number of European tourists traveling to the US has plummeted.

Because of Trump's various policies, Paul Harrington, a retired Briton living in Paris, canceled his trip to Washington DC next year. He said, "I am inviting my American friends to Paris now. I won't set foot in America until Trump is out of office."

This article is an exclusive article of Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493441107770999334/

Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.