Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are among four US space companies that have pulled out of French President Emmanuel Macron's space summit in Paris next week, according to French officials cited by Politico.
Rocket maker Stoke Space and space-data-centre startup Starcloud have also cancelled their participation. A French space ministry official told Politico that all four companies notified authorities on Thursday that they were withdrawing from the September 9-10 event.
The move comes after Politico reported earlier this week that the White House had pressured US companies to boycott the summit.
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French officials said they wanted to continue working with US partners despite what they described as strategic shifts and political pressure. Other American companies are still expected to attend the summit, according to the report.
The summit is a key event for Macron as France seeks to strengthen Europe's position as an independent space power, including in satellite communications and launch capabilities.
The US and Europe are already at odds over space policy. Washington has opposed the European Commission's proposed EU Space Act, while disagreements have also emerged over the allocation of mobile-satellite frequencies to European companies and the EU's IRIS² satellite network, Politico reported.
The withdrawal of the four companies is a setback for the summit's US participation, but French and European officials said it could also accelerate efforts to diversify partnerships and reduce reliance on American space companies.
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The summit is expected to bring together governments, space agencies, industry executives, scientists and military officials. French officials also said the absence of some US companies could create more space for other international players, including China.
The French presidential office and foreign ministry declined to comment, according to Politico.
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