US President Joe Biden's administration announced on Thursday a change in weapons export policy that prioritizes human rights above financial interests, reversing Donald Trump's approach.
The new Commercial Arms Transfer (CAT) policy, governed by the State Department in addition to the Defense and Commerce departments, examines security assistance, government-to-government weapons transfers, and approved commercial sales of US-origin military goods and services, including commonly accessible guns in the country, Reuters reported.
Military corporations and activists examine such US weapons policies to see how the government balances the business interests of manufacturers like Lockheed Martin Co. and Raytheon Technologies with its claimed dedication to protecting human rights.
US weapons might be used in gross breaches of human rights; thus, the State Department has updated its CAT policy to address this risk.
The State Department will not accept a weapons transfer under the new US weapons policy if it determines that the weapons would "more likely than not" be used to commit or enable genocide, human rights abuses, violations of the Geneva Conventions, or other major transgressions of international law.
US Military Weapons Sales Soared
In fiscal 2022, US partners in Europe rushed to equip themselves after Russia invaded Ukraine 11 months ago, driving up military weapons sales to about $51.9 billion, per Defense News.
Recent data from the State Department shows that this is a 49% increase over the $34.8 billion in sales recorded the previous year. Sales to businesses and government agencies directly also increased, from $103.4 billion to $153.7 billion.
The Biden administration unveiled the new US weapons sales policy after President Joe Biden wrapped up his wartime tour of Europe on Wednesday.
Joe Biden attempted to strengthen alliances with allies on NATO's precarious eastern flank, just as Russian President Vladimir Putin drew closer to China for support as his incursion of Ukraine turns one year, according to AP News.
