Three countries have halted arms sales to Saudi Arabia while the U.S. has stuck by the kingdom after the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Finland and Denmark joined Germany this week in halting all future arms sales and sending of military equipment to the Saudi government.
Germany and Denmark cited the killing of Khashoggi while Finland said in a statement much of its decision was related to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The October killing of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked criticism by both Republicans and Democrats and put intense pressure on President Trump to criticize a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.
After reports surfaced showing a CIA assessment concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing, Trump said the U.S. would stick by the kingdom.
Trump cited oil prices and an arms deal in his rationale.
He publicly questioned the CIA’s assessment, emphasizing Salman’s denials even as the Saudi government’s account of Khashoggi’s fate has repeatedly shifted.
Meanwhile, other countries have taken steps to block future arms sales with the regime over the killing and its war in Yemen, which has killed thousands, including children, and left millions at risk of starvation.
In a televised interview, Denmark’s foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen, called the Saudi regime “destructive in many fields” and said it was halting exports of military equipment because of “the continued worsening of the already terrible situation in Yemen and the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.”
Samuelsen said he hoped “the Danish decision can create further momentum and get more European Union countries to support tight implementation of the E.U.’s regulatory framework in this area,” according to the Associated Press.
The two countries made their announcements after Germany urged other European nations to halt arms exports to Saudi Arabia last month, according to Reuters.
Some members of Congress, Republican and Democrat alike, are still pushing for a harsher response to Khashoggi’s death and dismemberment.
President Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the Oval Office.
The Democratic House is likely to investigate Donald Trump’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia, among other nations.
Trump, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, have done millions and millions of dollars worth of business there.
Trump registered eight companies during his presidential campaign that were tied to hotel interests in Saudi Arabia.
The companies were registered under names such as THC Jeddah Hotel and DT Jeddah Technical Services, according to financial disclosure filings.
During a rally in 2015, the day Trump created four of those companies, he said he gets along well with Saudi Arabia.
“They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.”
After his election, Trump said on Fox News he “would want to protect Saudi Arabia.”