FILE PHOTO © Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Freeman/US Navy/Handout via REUTERS
Wall Street Journal: Biden Freezes U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia, U.A.E.
New administration is reviewing weapons transactions earlier approved by Trump
The Biden administration has imposed a temporary freeze on U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as it reviews billions of dollars in weapons transactions approved by former President Donald Trump, according to U.S. officials.
The review, the officials said, includes the sale of precision-guided munitions to Riyadh, as well as top-line F-35 fighters to Abu Dhabi, a deal that Washington approved as part of the Abraham Accords, in which the Emirates established diplomatic relations with Israel.
U.S. officials said it isn’t unusual for a new administration to review arms sales approved by a predecessor, and that despite the pause, many of the transactions are likely to ultimately go forward.
But in line with campaign pledges made by President Biden, Washington is seeking to ensure that American weapons aren’t used to further the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, where its conflict with the Iranian-aligned Houthis has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and widespread hunger.
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WNU Editor: Will the Biden administration terminate these agreements? In a normal situation I would say no. These deals would be reviewed and then approved. But these are not normal times, and President Biden's open hostility towards Saudi Arabia is well known. IMHO these deals have a very good chance of being cancelled.
More News On President Biden Freezing U.S. Arms Sales To Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. Amid Broader Review
US suspends $23 billion sale of F-35s to UAE that followed Abraham Accords -- Times Of Israel
US freezes sales of missiles to Saudi Arabia and F-35s to UAE as it reviews Trump-era arms deals -- RT
