US officials say American firms are losing sales of armed drones like the MQ-9 Reaper -- seen here on an air base in Afghanistan -- to Chinese "knock-offs" because of the policy of the previous US administration to limit access to the weapons systems (AFP Photo/SHAH MARAI)
Reuters: Trump launches effort to boost U.S. weapons sales abroad
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration rolled out a long-awaited overhaul of U.S. arms export policy on Thursday aimed at expanding sales to allies, saying it will bolster the American defense industry and create jobs at home.
The White House aims to cut the time it takes to approve arms deals, lowering the hurdle to bigger sales and sales of more powerful weapons, and increasing the role of senior U.S. officials in shepherding deals across the finish line, as earlier reported by Reuters.
The initiative builds on President Donald Trump’s efforts to personally boost arms sales on calls with foreign heads of state.
Companies that stand to benefit from the new policy most include Boeing Co (BA.N) and the other top U.S. defense contractors, Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), Raytheon Co (RTN.N), General Dynamics Corp (GD.N) and Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N).
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WNU Editor: U.S. arms exporters are expecting big dividends from this new policy .... Arming the world: Inside Trump's 'Buy American' drive to expand weapons exports (Reuters).
More News On New U.S. Arms Export Policy Announced To Boost High-Tech Weapon Sales To Allies
US easing rules on sales of armed drones, other weaponry -- AP
US to drop curbs on drone tech to boost arms sales -- AFP
Trump Orders Agencies to Expedite and Expand Arms Sales Abroad -- Bloomberg
Trump Administration Seeks to Expand Sales of Armed Drones -- New York Times
Trump relaxes conditions over sale of US killer drones -- Financial Times
Trump admin rolls out new rules for weapon, drone sales abroad -- Military Times
New US Arms Exports Policy to Reduce Reliance on Russia, Uphold Sanctions -- Sputnik
