The Trump administration has approved another $ 290 million guided guided bomb sale in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released to Congress Tuesday.
The State Department approved the sale to Saudi Arabia of 3,000 small-diameter GBU-39 (SDB I) munitions manufactured by Boeing and related equipment, according to the Security Defense Cooperation Agency notice.
The sale announced Tuesday adds to a license the Trump administration recently advanced with approval that would allow Raytheon to sell 7,500 of its “smart” ground-to-ground bombs directly to Saudi Arabia Paveway for a estimated value of $ 478 million.
Arms deals are even occurring as lawmakers on both sides have increasingly opposed the sale of Saudi weapons amid thousands of civilian deaths in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Many lawmakers also reached their breaking point with the kingdom when a Saudi squad killed and dismembered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
But President Trump
Donald Trump Trump calls for end to “religious persecution around the world” on 850th anniversary of Thomas Becket’s death Michael Cohen’s interview raises questions after he mentions “Tony Meatballs and Big Minty,” friends of the prison, against Democrats and Republicans who opposed 000 MORE direct payments has made arms sales to the kingdom an integral part of its foreign policy, arguing that they are necessary to counter Iran and boost jobs for American arms manufacturers.
Last year, the Trump administration pushed for an $ 8.1 billion “emergency” arms sale to Saudis that lawmakers had been blocking through an informal process. Congress eventually passed bipartisan resolutions to block those sales, but Trump vetoed them.
Democrats accused this secretary of state Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoBiden calls for modernizing U.S. defenses after the massive hack of Trump’s legacy: a permanent disdain for the truth? Nothing becomes Donald Trump’s presidency as if he left it MOREThe invocation of the emergency authorities unduly evaded the congressional control authorities. Later, the Inspector General of the State Department found that Pompey was under his authority to drive sales, but accused him of not ensuring that American weapons were not used against the civilian population.
For the deal announced Tuesday, the administration argued in the warning that the sale “would support U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that remains a major force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East. “
“The proposed sale will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deal with current and future threats by increasing its stockpiles of accurate long-range air-to-ground ammunition. The size and accuracy of SDB I allows for effective ammunition. with less collateral damage, ”the notice said.
Tuesday’s notice launches a 30-day clock during which lawmakers can block the sale if they wish.
This puts the deadline at the beginning of the Biden administration, which could also stop the sale if it wants to. President-elect Joe Biden
Michigan Mayor Joe Biden criticizes Facebook posts suggesting rebellion: Trump report appoints incumbent SEC president Roisman Biden Interior to discuss environmental injustice with tribal leaders MORE has promised to review the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has advanced billions of dollars in arms sales in the waning days of Trump’s term, including a $ 23 billion arms package for the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to the sale of Saudi weapons, the Trump administration on Tuesday announced approvals for sales in Kuwait and Egypt.
For Kuwait, the administration approved the sale of eight Apache AH-64E helicopters worth $ 4 billion and $ 200 million in spare parts to upgrade its Patriot anti-missile system.
Egypt was approved to buy a $ 104 million missile countermeasures system for its presidential planes and $ 65.6 million worth of destination podiums for military aircraft.