Deal Worth $1.4B Green-Lit Before President’s Visit

The U.S. State Department announced the approval of a $1.4 billion sale of helicopters and F-16 parts to the United Arab Emirates, with the Congress already notified in the days prior to President Trump’s visit to the country. The proposed sale is for $1.32 billion for CH-47 Chinook helos and about $130 worth of F-16 parts.

Some Democrats in Congress have signaled their reluctance to approve the deal as the President is currently on his four-day trip to the Middle East. He is expected to make his final stop in the Emirates later in the week following stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The UAE has promised to invest $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade. The investments will be focused on manufacturing, semiconductors, energy, and AI.

Foreign trade deals involving arms and defense technologies are overseen by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency as well as the State Department.

The State Department reviews potential agreements with other countries to ensure they are in alignment with U.S. goals. If they are approved, State notifies Congress, who may or may not approve a proposed sale. If they choose not to approve, the government will negotiate the deal with Congress and then with the other country.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said he would ‘block any arms sale to a nation that is doing direct personal business with Trump,” citing his contention the UAE put $2 billion into the Trump family’s crypto venture.

In January, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) expressed their opposition to a $1.2 billion arms sale to UAE because of that country’s provision of weapons to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which the U.S. has accused of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

FMI:  www.state.gov/