Going Up?

[GENERAL TURGIDSON] He who controls the space elevator will control all the space elevator operator jobs, and space observation deck revenue for the next century!

Mr. President, we cannot allow, a space elevator GAP!

So of course the US wants it, China wants it and so does Japan. If and when it does become reality, the country that gets a Space Elevator first will likely have a stranglehold on space commerce for a long time.