All articles tagged with #armssales
Kyiv Post, citing Bloomberg and Ukrainian intelligence, reports that North Korea earned up to $22 billion from 2022–2025 by arming and deploying troops to Russia for its Ukraine war, including supplying up to half of Russia’s 122mm and 152mm artillery shells and sending 16,000–22,000 soldiers at about $2,000 per month, a windfall that boosted Pyongyang’s economy and spurred advances in its nuclear and naval programs despite UN sanctions.
A potential direct call between President Trump and Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te is reportedly on hold ahead of a possible fall visit by Xi Jinping, with sources saying Trump may wait to discuss a new arms package; U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been paused amid ongoing diplomacy and Beijing’s objections to official exchanges.
Trump said he will speak with Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te as he weighs approving a $14 billion arms sale to Taipei, a move that could strain U.S.-China relations and challenge decades of non-official diplomacy with Taipei, after he suggested using the sale as a negotiating chip with Beijing and Lai urged continued arms support.
A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that global arms sales reached $632 billion in 2023, a 4.2% increase driven by conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising tensions in Asia. Russian and Middle Eastern manufacturers saw significant sales boosts, while U.S. companies maintained a dominant market share despite supply chain challenges. European and Asian arms producers also experienced growth, with notable increases in South Korea and Japan. The report suggests continued demand for arms in 2024.