White House discourages US space firms from attending Paris summit: Report

Muhammed Yasin Güngör

The Trump administration has advised major American space companies to skip a high-profile summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a report Wednesday by the Politico news website.

Officials from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the White House agency responsible for advising on technological matters, warned representatives from companies, including SpaceX and Astra, that their participation could be interpreted as “tacit support” for European Union policy. Executives were told that the summit’s structure failed to include the American perspective and might “diminish US industry efforts,” according to those who spoke to the outlet.

The White House allegedly accused France of engaging in “anti-competitive practices,” and failing to coordinate with Washington on the summit’s agenda.

OSTP officials also voiced significant concern about the attendance of China, a major rival in the global space race, at the symposium.

Following the briefing, company leaders from the firms reportedly faced uncertainty about whether to maintain their participation. The OSTP maintains that it did not issue definitive “marching orders” and that the final decision rests with individual companies.

The summit is scheduled at the Grand Palais in Paris on Sept. 9-10. It is intended to convene global space agencies, scientists and military officials.