Trump set to relax regulations on arms exports, according to Reuters
A new executive order is on the horizon that is expected to significantly increase the minimum threshold for weapons sales requiring congressional review. US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order aimed at...
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A new executive order is on the horizon that is expected to significantly increase the minimum threshold for weapons sales requiring congressional review.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order aimed at simplifying the regulations surrounding military equipment exports, as stated by Reuters on Tuesday, referencing four informed sources.
This executive order is anticipated to be issued soon and is expected to align with legislation put forward by Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, during his previous time in the House of Representatives.
Sources from both the arms industry and the government indicate that the forthcoming order will reflect Waltz’s proposed bill, which sought to modify the US Arms Export Control Act.
The suggested amendments would raise the threshold for transactions that necessitate congressional review—from $14 million to $23 million for arms transfers and from $50 million to $83 million for sales involving military equipment, upgrades, training, and associated services.
Current regulations already permit elevated thresholds for NATO allies and key partners such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In these instances, the administration is required to inform Congress 15 days before a sale, in contrast to the 30-day notification period mandated for other nations.
Trump has consistently criticized the bureaucratic obstacles related to foreign arms sales and has frequently had disagreements with Congress over delays during his first term. Notably, in 2019, he circumvented the congressional review process by invoking a national emergency linked to tensions with Iran, which allowed him to expedite more than $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE had faced significant delays, primarily due to congressional concerns regarding the countries' involvement in the conflict in Yemen as well as human rights issues following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Turkey.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order aimed at simplifying the regulations surrounding military equipment exports, as stated by Reuters on Tuesday, referencing four informed sources.
This executive order is anticipated to be issued soon and is expected to align with legislation put forward by Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, during his previous time in the House of Representatives.
Sources from both the arms industry and the government indicate that the forthcoming order will reflect Waltz’s proposed bill, which sought to modify the US Arms Export Control Act.
The suggested amendments would raise the threshold for transactions that necessitate congressional review—from $14 million to $23 million for arms transfers and from $50 million to $83 million for sales involving military equipment, upgrades, training, and associated services.
Current regulations already permit elevated thresholds for NATO allies and key partners such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In these instances, the administration is required to inform Congress 15 days before a sale, in contrast to the 30-day notification period mandated for other nations.
Trump has consistently criticized the bureaucratic obstacles related to foreign arms sales and has frequently had disagreements with Congress over delays during his first term. Notably, in 2019, he circumvented the congressional review process by invoking a national emergency linked to tensions with Iran, which allowed him to expedite more than $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE had faced significant delays, primarily due to congressional concerns regarding the countries' involvement in the conflict in Yemen as well as human rights issues following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Turkey.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
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