HANOI, March 1 (Reuters) – Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced on Saturday that the government aims to swiftly issue a license for Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the country under a pilot program. Speaking with nearly 40 U.S. businesses in Hanoi, Chinh also mentioned that Vietnam is taking steps to rebalance its trade surplus with the U.S., highlighting potential imports such as aircraft, arms, liquefied natural gas, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals. Hanoi is striving to avoid U.S. tariffs on its growing exports, which led to a record trade surplus last year, making the Southeast Asian nation susceptible to reciprocal tariffs threatened by former President Donald Trump. “The PM has directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to quickly issue a license to Starlink internet (services) on a trial basis,” the government stated on its website, detailing the discussions Chinh had with U.S. companies. In February, Vietnam’s parliament approved a temporary framework allowing satellite internet firms to operate in Vietnam while maintaining full control over their local subsidiaries—a condition set by Musk. This marked a significant shift in Vietnam’s policy regarding ownership of satellite internet providers, as the Communist-led country enforces stringent restrictions on foreign control in sectors it deems sensitive. A U.S. official present at Saturday’s meeting noted that the talks “will hopefully resolve some pending issues” for American companies operating in Vietnam. Chinh is planning additional meetings with other foreign businesses in the coming days, multiple investors informed Reuters, as he seeks to address concerns arising from global trade tensions and their potential impact on the export-driven nation. Vietnam’s government reported on Saturday that a deal was valued at $11 billion, without specifying if it included engines and other components typically purchased separately. The White House had previously stated in 2023 that the deal was worth $7.8 billion. Vietnam Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. The agreement was initially signed in 2016 and later revised, but no aircraft have been delivered yet, despite the company stating last year that it expected to receive the first jets. For weeks, the government and Vietnamese officials have referenced various measures to tackle the trade surplus with the U.S., though no major deals have been announced yet. The government has indicated it might increase imports of U.S. agricultural products, and officials have repeatedly shown interest in purchasing U.S. liquefied natural gas for Vietnam’s emerging LNG sector. — news from Reuters
