Senators accuse US President Donald Trump of engaging in “US foreign policy corruption” with defense agreements.
A group of US senators is trying to stop $ 3.5 billion in gun sales for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar due to concerns that agreements will personally benefit US President Donald Trump’s family.
Two “disapproval resolutions” were presented on Thursday by Democratic senators Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen, Brian Schatz and Tim Kaine, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who often votes with Democrats.
The legislators also issued statements accusing President Trump, who is completing a trip to the Middle East, of actively involving “corruption of US foreign policy” regarding the moment of sales and recent investment agreements.
The State Department approved this week the sale of US $ 1.6 billion to the United Arab Emirates of Chinook helicopters and equipment, F-16 aircraft components and replacement and repair parts for Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. The initial report cited the amount as close to $ 1.3 billion, but the $ 1.6 billion amount was used in a statement by legislators. Legislators also seek to block $ 1.9 billion in sales for Predator MQ-9B drones and associated equipment, which was approved by the State Department in March.
Legislators accuse Trump of accepting favors in exchange for agreements, citing April news that the MGX Investment Company would use a Stablecoin – a cryptocurrency whose value is linked to another asset – issued by World Liberty Financial, supported by the Trump family, to finance an investment of $ 2 billion in the Binance cryptocurrencies.
The Trump family would have gained millions with niche cryptocurrencies, such as the “meme currency” $ Trump, since the president returned to the White House in January.
In addition to business, senators have also expressed fears that US weapons sent to the United Arab Emirates can end up in the hands of Sudan’s rapid paramilitary support forces, which are allegedly supported by the United Arab Emirates and played a key role in Sudan’s civil war.
“The US should not deliver weapons to the United Arab Emirates, as they assist and encourage this humanitarian disaster and serious human rights violations,” said Van Hollen, citing the Civil War in Sudan.
The senators also cited the offering of the Qatar of a Boeing 747 Jumbo for the temporary use of the president as Air Force One. The offer attracted criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans for being the most expensive foreign gift between a foreign government and an elected US authority.
“There is nothing that Donald Trump loves more than being treated as a king, and that is exactly why foreign governments are trying to buy their favor with a jumbo jet of luxury and investment in Trump’s cryptocurrency blows,” Murphy said in a statement.
When asked about the aircraft’s offer, Trump blamed Boeing’s lack of progress in building a new Air Force One and said it would be “stupid” if a free plane refused.
“It’s not a gift to me, it’s a gift to the Defense Department,” he said.
It is unclear when the joint “disapproval resolution” will be voted, but the US political news vehicle The Hill said that due to the nature of bills, Democrats are likely to force them to go to the Senate plenary.
Originally published by Al Jazeera on 16/05/2025
Por erin
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/05/16/senadores-dos-eua-tentam-bloquear-acordos-de-defesa-de-trump-com-emirados-arabes-unidos-e-catar/
