The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, announced that the government intends to fast-track the licensing process for Elon Musk's Starlink to offer satellite internet services under a pilot scheme.

This information was reported by Reuters.

In February, the Vietnamese parliament approved a temporary framework allowing satellite internet companies to provide services in Vietnam while maintaining full control over their local subsidiaries, a prior condition set by Elon Musk.

This marked a sudden shift in Vietnam's stance on ownership of satellite internet providers, as the communist country maintains strict controls on foreign ownership.

Hanoi is attempting to avoid American tariffs on its rapidly growing exports, which contributed to a record trade surplus last year, making the Southeast Asian nation vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.

During a meeting with nearly 40 representatives of American businesses in Hanoi, Chinh also stated that Vietnam is taking steps to balance its trade surplus with the U.S., citing potential imports of aircraft, weapons, liquefied natural gas, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals.