Erdogan Explores Technology Partnership with Elon Musk, Discusses Starlink and Tesla Expansion

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed interest in potential technology collaborations with Elon Musk, the American entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, according to media reports.

Speaking to reporters on his return from Baku, President Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to advancing its tech sector through collaboration, stating that “technology isn’t a field you can advance on your own; you absolutely need some cooperation.” Erdogan shared details of Türkiye’s recent achievements, including the “Digital Türkiye” initiative and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, as he outlined areas of possible partnership with Musk.

Elon Musk, recently appointed by US President-elect Donald Trump to a government advisory role on efficiency, responded positively to Erdogan’s vision, noting that Turkish suppliers already work with Tesla and that Türkiye is a leading candidate for the location of Tesla’s next factory.

Additionally, Erdogan proposed cooperation on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service, which Musk indicated a desire to bring to Türkiye, pending regulatory approvals. Musk affirmed SpaceX’s interest in working closely with Turkish authorities to secure the necessary licenses for Starlink, a move that could enhance internet connectivity across Türkiye.

This dialogue marks a promising step toward a potential partnership, with both leaders aligned on the importance of collaborative technological advancements.