Trump is reportedly drafting an executive order to enhance weapons exports

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to issue an executive order aimed at relaxing regulations on military equipment exports, with an announcement potentially coming as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to four sources familiar with the matter. These sources, which include individuals from both government and industry, anticipate that the order will resemble legislation proposed last year by Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, during his tenure as a Republican in the House of Representatives.

White House officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. The executive order could lead to increased sales for major U.S. defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, and Boeing Co.

Had it been enacted, the bill supported by Waltz in 2024 would have modified the U.S. Arms Export Control Act by raising the minimum dollar thresholds that necessitate congressional review of arms exports. Specifically, the thresholds would have increased from $14 million to $23 million for arms transfers, and from $50 million to $83 million for military equipment sales, upgrades, training, and related services.

Higher thresholds apply to NATO members and key U.S. allies, including Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. For these transactions, Congress must be notified 15 days prior to a transfer, in contrast to the 30-day requirement for most other nations. Throughout his first term, Trump frequently voiced his dissatisfaction with Congress members who delayed foreign arms sales due to human rights or other issues. In 2019, he angered many lawmakers, including some from his own party, by declaring a national emergency amid tensions with Iran. This move allowed him to bypass the established congressional review process for significant weapons sales, facilitating the sale of over $8 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.