Trump Administration Unveils “America First” Arms Transfer Strategy
WASHINGTON – – The Trump administration today formally established an “America First” Arms Transfer Strategy, aiming to leverage foreign arms purchases to bolster domestic production and capacity within the U.S. Defense industrial base. The initiative, detailed in an executive order released by the White House, seeks to solidify American dominance in international defense exports and strengthen national security.
According to the order, American-manufactured military equipment is currently considered the best in the world, giving the U.S. A significant advantage in the global arms market. The administration intends to fully capitalize on this position, utilizing arms transfers not only as a tool of foreign policy but also as a means to stimulate economic growth and innovation within the defense sector.
The core of the strategy involves prioritizing arms sales that will directly contribute to increased production and capacity for weapons and platforms deemed “operationally relevant” by the Secretary of War for executing the National Security Strategy. Foreign capital will be actively sought to support domestic reindustrialization efforts, expand production capabilities, and enhance the resilience of the U.S. Defense industrial base.
The executive order outlines several key objectives. These include incentivizing new entrants and non-traditional defense companies to participate in the defense industrial base, building critical supply chain resilience, and avoiding bottlenecks that could impact the readiness of U.S. Forces and allies. Arms sales will also be directed towards partners who have demonstrated a commitment to self-defense and contribute to U.S. Economic security.
Within 120 days of the order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, is tasked with submitting a “sales catalog” to the President. This catalog will highlight prioritized platforms and systems that the U.S. Will actively encourage its allies and partners to acquire, based on criteria established within the broader “America First” strategy.
Simultaneously, the Secretary of Commerce will provide recommendations for enhancing advocacy efforts to promote the procurement of U.S.-produced defense articles. The goal is to ensure that foreign purchases directly benefit the American defense industry.
The administration is also focused on streamlining the arms transfer process. The order directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War to identify Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) opportunities that align with the strategic objectives of the new policy and contribute to the growth of the U.S. Defense industrial base.
To facilitate collaboration with industry stakeholders, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, will develop and submit an industry engagement plan to the President within 60 days. This plan will outline how the government will coordinate with American companies throughout the implementation of the “America First” strategy.
Several specific reforms are planned to address inefficiencies in the current arms transfer system. These include developing clear criteria for Enhanced End Use Monitoring, establishing a coordination group to improve end-use monitoring activities, and reviewing Third-Party Transfer (TPT) processes to potentially reduce their complexity. The administration also intends to provide advanced notice to allies and partners of upcoming contracting actions and deadlines related to FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance implementation.
The executive order also includes revisions to Executive Order 13637, clarifying the roles of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of State in Congressional notifications related to proposed arms transfers. These changes aim to improve coordination and transparency in the notification process.
To oversee the implementation of the “America First” Arms Transfer Strategy, the Promoting American Military Sales Task Force will be established, chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The task force will include representatives from key departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Department of Commerce.
the administration plans to begin publishing quarterly performance metrics on FMS case development and execution, as well as on the adjudication of export licenses, to enhance transparency for both U.S. Industry and international partners. These metrics are intended to provide a clearer picture of the effectiveness of the new strategy and identify areas for improvement.
The Department of Defense recently announced related reforms, unifying its arms transfer and security cooperation enterprise to improve efficiency and strengthen burden-sharing with allies and partners. These changes, outlined in a memorandum dated , are consistent with the goals of the “America First” strategy and aim to accelerate the delivery of defense capabilities.
The Pentagon is also moving the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Defense Technology Administration to the purview of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, a move intended to create a clearer line of authority and optimize arms transfer operations. According to the Department of Defense, these reforms will help address bottlenecks, align acquisition timelines, and expand opportunities for industry participation.
The administration emphasizes that the “America First” Arms Transfer Strategy is not intended to impair the authority of executive departments or agencies, and will be implemented consistent with applicable law and the availability of appropriations.
