(The Center Square) – Several new developments between the U.S. and European nations and African nations attributed to the Trump administration’s “clear-eyed” foreign policy were announced Tuesday by U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Several European nations have agreed to fund over $1 billion in American-made equipment and military supplies to Ukraine and foreign nationals from Malawi and Zambia will now have to post bonds up to $15,000 to obtain certain visas to the U.S., Bruce said.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden revealed Tuesday they would finance approximately $500 million in U.S-sourced goods to Ukraine after the Netherlands disclosed a similar agreement Monday.
“These deliveries total over $1 billion of life-saving, top-of-the-line American equipment that, as noted by Ambassador Whitaker, will allow Ukraine to ‘protect critical infrastructure and civilian lives, while also staying in the fight until a lasting cease fire happens,’” Bruce told reporters.
“These commitments deliver on President Trump’s initiative to facilitate billions of dollars in investment to the United States defense industry and create American jobs while ensuring Europe can ultimately defend itself long term,” she added.
The Department is piloting the Malawi and Zambia visa bond program to “[reinforce] the administration’s commitment to U.S. immigration law” while “deterring visa overstay,” according to Bruce.
Citizens of those African countries may have to pay up to $15,000 as a refundable deposit for a U.S. business or tourist visa — money they’ll only get back if they leave the country on time.
In his first term, President Donald Trump insisted that the U.S. had historically provided the lion’s share of funding and support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and that European member countries were obligated to increase their contributions — a position he has only reinforced amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At its annual summit In June, NATO members agreed to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035.
The president has cracked down on illegal immigration at the U.S. southern border while also suspending refugee admissions and narrowing asylum access, as part of its response to historically high illegal immigration under the previous administration.
The administration has also issued travel bans on more than one dozen countries and suspended new student visa interviews. The visa bond program Bruce spoke of Tuesday enables U.S. officials to require bonds from applicants from countries with high rates of visa overstays.
