Trump has changed the rules for arms sales. Priority is given to those who spend more on defense

President of the United States Donald Trump has signed a decree that provides for a reorientation of the list of buyers of American weapons in favor of countries with higher defense spending and strategic importance in their region. This was reported by the agency Reuters with reference to the White House.

The executive order establishing the "America First Arms Transfer Strategy" marks a significant shift in U.S. arms sales policy. The document instructs federal agencies to prioritize partners that have invested heavily in their own self-defense capabilities and occupy important positions or are located in key geographic regions.

The move is intended to speed up the delivery of U.S.-made weapons to allies deemed important to regional security, while using foreign purchases to expand domestic production capacity. The executive order does not mention any countries.

Reuters recalled that last year, NATO leaders supported a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting each other from attack.

"Future arms sales will prioritize U.S. interests by using foreign procurement and capital to build U.S. manufacturing and capabilities," the White House newsletter says.

According to the new strategy, officials are tasked with developing a sales catalog of priority platforms and systems, as well as identifying sales opportunities that meet the strategy's goals.

For decades, deliveries were made on a first-come, first-served basis. This could only be changed after significant obstacles were overcome and a particular country was prioritized.

The decree also provides for the simplification of bureaucratic processes, including enhanced end-use monitoring and third-party transfer procedures, to reduce delays and increase transparency.

The White House said that the previous approach led to a production backlog and delivery delays, as orders did not match US production capacity.

By prioritizing countries with higher defense spending and strategic importance, the administration seeks to ensure that U.S. defense exports support both national security and domestic industrial development.

• On February 6, 2026, it was reported that the US Army intends to levy fines against Northrop Grumman Corp. and Global Military Products Inc. for the delay in supplies of artillery shells to Ukraine, which is an example of the Pentagon's efforts to increase contractor accountability.