By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose.
American-made military equipment is heralded as the pinnacle of excellence, ensuring the United States stands tall as a titan in global defense exports. It is imperative for the United States to leverage this unique advantage in arms transfers—not only as a means of foreign policy but also as a catalyst for bolstering domestic production.
In the interest of preserving our military preeminence and technological edge, it is time to roll out an America First Arms Transfer Strategy. This groundbreaking initiative will ensure that future arms dealings are aligned with American interests, utilizing foreign investments to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities. The strategy aims to fortify a technologically advanced, agile national security industrial base, thus enhancing the United States’ defense industrial framework to better support our military and allied forces, particularly in a climate of increasing shared responsibilities.
Sec. 2. Policy.
It is the policy of the United States to strategically employ arms transfers as a tool of American foreign policy while simultaneously expanding vital industrial production capacity within the country by:
- (a) implementing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy that provides definitive guidance to stakeholders in arms transfers;
- (b) streamlining processes across various executive departments and agencies to enhance effectiveness and create efficiencies within our defense sales framework.
Sec. 3. An America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
(a) The America First Arms Transfer Strategy is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- (i) The United States will utilize arms sales and transfers to boost production and enhance the manufacturing capacity for weaponry and platforms deemed operationally vital by the Secretary of War in accordance with the National Security Strategy (NSS);
- (ii) Foreign procurement and investment will be harnessed to support domestic reindustrialization efforts, expand manufacturing capabilities, and increase the resilience of the American defense industrial base. Arms sales will also spur innovation and competition by attracting new and unconventional defense contractors;
- (iii) The United States will reinforce Department of War (DoW) acquisition and sustainment activities through arms transfers, ensuring supply chain resilience and preventing backlogs on critical components that could affect readiness for the United States and its allies;
- (iv) As stipulated in Executive Order 14268 of April 9, 2025 (Reforming Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability), arms sales will be prioritized for partners actively investing in their self-defense capabilities, those strategically positioned within U.S. operational frameworks, or those contributing to our economic security.
(b) Within 120 days from the issuance of this order, the Secretary of War, in collaboration with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall present to the President—via the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs—a catalog of prioritized platforms and systems that the United States will advocate for allies and partners to acquire. This catalog will reflect the criteria outlined in the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
(c) Also within 120 days of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, alongside the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, shall provide recommendations to bolster efforts encouraging foreign procurement of defense articles manufactured in the United States, supporting the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
(d) Furthermore, within 120 days, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, will identify Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales opportunities that align with the strategic goals of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and promote the growth of the U.S. defense industrial base.
(e) Within 60 days post-order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, will formulate an industry engagement plan to ensure comprehensive coordination with American stakeholders during the execution of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.
Sec. 4. Eliminating Inefficiencies in American Arms Transfers.
To effectively realize the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and refine the defense sales process, the U.S. Government will undertake the following actions:
- (i) Within 90 days, the Secretary of War, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, will establish clear criteria for determining which weapons and capabilities require Enhanced End Use Monitoring. Additionally, an End Use Monitoring coordination group will be formed, comprising representatives from each department to improve information sharing and compliance oversight for our allies and partners, thus mitigating risks of diversion;
- (ii) Within 60 days, the Secretary of State, with input from the Secretary of War, will evaluate Third-Party Transfer (TPT) processes and propose a plan to the President—via the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs—for streamlining the TPT process while addressing potential technology security risks;
- (iii) Within 90 days, the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, will create a protocol for providing timely notifications to allies and partners regarding upcoming contracting actions and associated deadlines for FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance implementation;
- (iv) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce will ensure effective collaboration when evaluating the impacts of Direct Commercial Sales on the defense industrial base;
- (v) To facilitate Congressional notifications, Executive Order 13637 of March 8, 2013 (Administration of Reformed Export Controls) will be amended to revise sections 1(j) and (k) as follows:
“(j) Notifications under section 36(a) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(a)) will be directed to the Secretary of War, who, while implementing these delegated functions, shall consult with the Secretary of State. For functions under sections 36(a)(5) and (6) (22 U.S.C. 2776(a)(5) and (6)), the Secretary of War will also engage with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(k) Notifications under sections 36(b)(1), (c), and (d) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1), (c), and (d)) will be directed to the Secretary of State. To ensure coordination, the Secretary of State shall inform the Secretary of War of any intent to formally notify Congress regarding proposed arms transfers.”
Sec. 5. Enhancing Accountability and Transparency.
(a) Within 30 days of this order, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish the Promoting American Military Sales Task Force (Task Force) to coordinate efforts in implementing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy while enhancing accountability and transparency throughout the arms transfer process. The Task Force will:
- (i) Be led by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs or their designee, comprising the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;
- (ii) Formulate a charter that clearly delineates the Task Force’s specific objectives and structure;
- (iii) Include ex officio members such as Service Acquisition Executives from military departments and representatives from other relevant agencies to report on measures taken to expedite the contracting of priority FMS cases and ensure the exportability of identified priority systems;
- (iv) Convene quarterly, or as necessary, to assess the progress of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy, including alignment of defense sales with strategic objectives.
(b) Within 120 days from this order, in furtherance of the reforms mandated by Executive Order 14268 and to enhance transparency for U.S. industry and its partners, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall begin publishing aggregate quarterly performance metrics on FMS case development and execution, as well as on the adjudication of Commerce and State export licenses.
Sec. 6. General Provisions.
(a) This order shall not be interpreted as impairing or affecting:
- (i) The authority vested by law in any executive department or agency, or the head thereof;
- (ii) The functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order will be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to available appropriations.
(c) This order does not intend to, nor does it create any right or benefit, enforceable at law or in equity, for any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
(d) The expenses incurred for the publication of this order will be the responsibility of the Department of War.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 6, 2026.
