Elon Musk should relocate his American business interests to Scotland in response to his fallout with Donald Trump, says Scottish MSP Ash Regan.
The Alba party member previously called Musk to open a Tesla gigafactory in Scotland which would have serviced the UK and Ireland.
She now says he should consider bringing other parts of his business empire to Scotland, including his SpaceX project, given Scotland’s growing expertise in the sector.
Musk is in a stand-off with President Donald Trump over a government Bill that the South Africa born tycoon says will increase the US budget deficit.
After Trump threatened to cut government contracts given to Musk’s SpaceX rocket company and his Starlink internet satellite services, Musk responded via X that SpaceX “will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.”
It was unclear how serious Musk’s threat was, but several hours later – in a post on his X social media site X – he said he would not do it.
With the situation still fluid, Ms Regan says Scotland should take advantage. Given Scotland’s emergence in the space and satellite industries, attempts should be made to tempt Musk to relocate his business ventures to Scotland, she says.
The idea may prompt some scepticism, but a similar suggestion was made at the recent Prosper conference in Edinburgh where a panel of speakers was asked whether Scotland should try to lure discontented technical experts from the US, and Silicon Valley in particular.
Alexander Holt, managing director of Seraphim Space Enterprise, told delegates that Scotland has the capability to be a big player in the space industry. He added that Scottish organisations should be sending people to the west coast and elsewhere to tempt specialists to Scotland.
He said they should not be deterred by the huge salary expectations. “We have to consider that £300,000 salary as £300,000 well spent,” he said.
Ms Regan says that with Trump’s family and business ties to Scotland, any suggestion of Musk relocating could “prompt a bidding war between the President of the United States and one of the world’s richest men as to who can invest more in Scotland.”
Glasgow is a major hub for the European space industry, particularly in the manufacturing of small satellites. It’s known as the “satellite manufacturing capital of Europe”and produces more small satellites than any other city in Europe, according to The Scottish Government.
Scotland is also developing multiple spaceports, with Sutherland Spaceport and SaxaVord Spaceport (in Shetland) being the most prominent. Sutherland Spaceport, located on the A’Mhoine peninsula, was originally planned for vertical launches of small satellites.
SaxaVord Spaceport, on the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands, is also designed for vertical launches and is further along in its development. Ms Regan says these sites are “shuffle ready” for Musk to relocate his SpaceX operations.
There are other proposed spaceports in Scotland, including Spaceport 1 in the Outer Hebrides, the Macrihanish Spaceport Cluster, and Prestwick Spaceport.
Ms Regan said: “The Scottish space industry, including satellite-related activities, is projected to be worth £4 billion to the Scottish economy by 2030. Glasgow is already known as the satellite manufacturing capital of Europe, and we are on the verge of becoming a global player in the industry.
“We have the sites, the people and the vision to match Elon Musk’s aspirations for SpaceX so the Scottish Government should be opening the door and advertising Scotland is the go to place if he wishes to relocate his business ventures here if contract cancellation threats in the US are upheld.
“I previously proposed Scotland as the site for the next Tesla Gigafactory and unfortunately Elon Musk ruled out investment due to the policies of the UK Labour Government.
“However, the Scottish Government have been a key partner in the growing success of our satellite industry, so in Scotland we would have a much opportunity of attracting such investment where the UK Government has previously failed.
“Scotland has the potential for abundant renewable energy, which is needed to power emergent technologies. By creating innovative investment opportunities, we can then capitalise on Scotland’s USP, ensuring we invest this bounty to benefit Scotland’s businesses and communities.”
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