The Biden administration revealed, on Wednesday, that it had temporarily frozen billions of dollars in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), previously authorized by former President Trump. In response, the UAE embassy tweeted that it ‘anticipated a review of current policies by the new administration’, stating that it intended to work closely with the Biden Administration on a comprehensive approach to Middle East peace and stability.
This move has been termed as ‘”routine administrative action” by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who claims that the reviewal of significant arms deals authorized by former administrations are part of standard procedures followed by incoming administrations.
Blinken says that the review will enable the Biden administration to ensure “US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and capable security partners.”
Trump held a congenial relationship with the the UAE and Saudi Arabia, orchestrating a paramount number of weapons exports to the Arab Gulf. In contrast, Biden had previously vowed to cease these arms deals especially with regard to Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen war.
Since taking office, President Joe Biden has signed a series of executive orders in an attempt to review or repeal Trump’s fundamental policies.
