Trump bypasses Congress to make emergency arms deal between Saudi Arabia and US bomb company
Emergency authorisation permits assembly of technology formerly kept secret for national security
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When Donald Trump declared an emergency to bypass congressional approval and expedite arms sales to countries in the Middle East region to “deter and defend themselves from the Islamic Republic of Iran”, concerns were raised on humanitarian grounds.
Now, however, security concerns are being raised regarding the building of high tech bomb parts in Saudi Arabia.
Congress had attempted to block an arms package which would allow Raytheon to ship 120,000 bombs to the Saudi state, adding to an already large weapon stockpile, but it was overturned via emergency authorisation by Mr Trump based on concerns regarding Iran.
The arms package also includes support for Saudi F-15 warplanes, mortars, anti-tank missiles, and rifles.
Mr Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, had ceased sales of bombs to the Saudis after it was discovered by human rights groups that the Saudi coalition in Yemen was using Raytheon’s Paveway bombs in targeted attacks on civilians.
The New York Times reports that the Trump administration’s emergency authorisation permits a top American defence firm called Raytheon Company, to couple with the Saudis and build their bomb parts in Saudi Arabia.
Some legislators, such as Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, have been vocal opponents of the arms deal, claiming that Saudi Arabia can not be trusted.
“Few nations should be trusted less than Saudi Arabia,” Mr Paul said in a statement.
“In recent years, they have fomented human atrocities, repeatedly lied to the United States and have proved to be a reckless regional pariah. It is concerning and irresponsible for the United States to continue providing them arms.”
Access to Raytheon’s technology may allow Saudis to build technology similar to American precision-guided bombs, which the Saudi government had previously used on Yemeni civilians in a war four years ago.
The emergency authorisation permits Raytheon and Saudi Arabia to assemble control systems, guidance electronics, and circuit cards that are used in the company’s “smart bombs”.
The US had previously kept the information and instructions for manufacturing these bombs under wraps for national security reasons.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments