Call to arms: Trump to ask Pentagon, diplomats to help sell weapons, sources say

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Brisbane Times

Brisbane Times
By Mike Stone and Matt Spetalnick
Updated 9 January 2018 - 11:09 am first published at 10:49am

Washington: The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new "Buy American" plan that calls for US military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the US weapons industry, going beyond the limited assistance they currently provide, officials said.

President Donald Trump is expected to announce a "whole of government" approach that will also ease export rules on US military exports and give greater weight to the economic benefits for American manufacturers in a decision-making process that has long focused heavily on human rights considerations, according to people familiar with the plan.

The initiative, which will encompass everything from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, is expected to be launched as early as February, senior officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A key policy change would call for embassy staffers around the world to act essentially as a sales force for defence contractors, actively advocating on their behalf. It was unclear, however, what specific guidelines would be established.



Read more: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/call-to-arms-trump-to-ask-pentagon-diplomats-to-help-sell-weapons-sources-say-20180109-h0fhcq.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Yes, that's what you'd expect - Trump orders the state to work for private arms companies

The UK has a tendency to do this too. This is the military-industrial complex controlling the state.