A total of $138.2 billion worth of arms were exported by the United States in the latest fiscal year according to a new report from the US state department. That figure is down 21% from fiscal 2020’s $172.8 billion.
The figures, released by the US State Department, show that sales of US military equipment to foreign governments fell 21% to $138 billion in the latest fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30. The drop comes as the administration of President Joe Biden shifts away from the selling of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia as the civilian casualties were reported in Yemen.
Yemen also intends to announce the new weapons exports policy that will shift its focus to human rights while administering an arms sale.
The dip comes after high one-time sales of fighter jets and guided missiles in the final year of the Trump administration.
The Trump administration’s “Buy American” program relaxed restrictions on military sales and encouraged U.S. officials to play a bigger role in increasing business overseas for the U.S. weapons industry, according to an article published on Get India News.
In fiscal 2021, direct military sales by U.S. companies fell 17% to $103 billion from $124 billion, and sales arranged through the U.S. government fell 31% to $34.8 billion from $50.8 billion, the State Department reported.
