The Trump administration has made it easier to sell drones and other lethal weapons into new markets in an effort to boost defence sales and see off competition from China and Russia.
The shift, announced yesterday, follows defence industry complaints about rules that limit sales of some lethal and high-tech weapons on the grounds of protecting intellectual property, US troops abroad and human rights.
“Providing our allies and partners with greater access to American arms will?.?.?.?reduce their reliance not just on Chinese knock-offs but also Russian systems,” said Peter Navarro, assistant to the president for trade and manufacturing. The policy, part of the “Buy American” drive, would loosen what he termed the “myopic” restrictions of the Obama administration.