The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sept. 21 approved by voice vote ice vote resolutions of ratification for Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties between the United States and the United Kingdom and between the United States and Australia, sending the treaties to the full Senate for advice and consent to ratification.
The Committee also approved legislation Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) crafted that will implement the treaties in the United States.
After the vote, Kerry said, “This bipartisan vote comes after three years of negotiations and thorough examination. It is a critical step toward enhancing our cooperative efforts to combat the mutual threats we face. These treaties help make cooperation between the United States and two of its closest allies more streamlined, efficient, and effective by removing unnecessary bureaucratic delays. Each treaty will permit the United Kingdom, Australia, and an agreed set of companies to avoid the need for arms export licenses when exchanging defense items relating to joint operations and programs. This will make it easier for us to instead focus our collaborative efforts on vital security issues such as the war in Afghanistan.
After hearing of the vote, U.K. Defence Secretary Liam fox said, “We are very keen to continue building upon the already strong US-UK relationship and this treaty plays a vital part. I am encouraged to see that progress is being made and I hope now that it will be possible to move swiftly towards agreement when it is considered by the Senate and House of Representatives.
The treaty would improve support to U.K. armed forces by reducing the bureaucracy in defense trade relations.
The treaty was signed three years ago, but the United States has yet to ratify the agreement.