On Friday, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump has signed an executive order implementing a new strategy for arms sales, titled the 'America First Arms Transfer Strategy'. This strategy is designed to expedite weapon deliveries to partner nations deemed strategically important to the United States. The order specifies that federal agencies must give preference to countries that have made significant investments in their defense capabilities, fulfill critical roles in U.S. plans or operations, possess geographical significance, or contribute to the U.S. economic security.

Previously, arms sales were typically fulfilled based on the order in which requests were received, with any prioritization only occurring via a lengthy bureaucratic process. The new executive order aims to streamline this process by allowing U.S. agencies to prioritize countries that fit the specified criteria. By doing so, the strategy seeks to enhance military partnerships and ensure that the United States maintains its advantageous position in global arms sales and defense collaborations.

However, the White House's announcement did not specify any countries that would receive priority under the new order, which raises questions about how these decisions will be made and the potential implications for U.S. relations with other nations. This strategic shift underscores the importance of defense spending in international relations and suggests a more aggressive approach to arms dealing in the context of global power dynamics.