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The United States has quietly begun pausing certain arms sales to European allies, reflecting shifting priorities under President Donald Trump’s second administration and sparking concerns about NATO’s security posture, The Atlantic reported Friday.
The move stems from the administration’s “America First” agenda and Pentagon worries over dwindling stockpiles of key defense systems, particularly Patriot missile interceptors. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby reportedly opposed a sale of Patriots to Denmark, citing limited availability and the need to prioritize U.S. domestic use.
Denmark has since signed a $9.1 billion deal with European manufacturers, its largest-ever arms purchase. Analysts say the decision underscores Europe’s pivot toward regional alternatives amid doubts over U.S. defense commitments, a shift that could strain transatlantic ties as Russian military activity intensifies near NATO borders.
Patriot shortages — estimated at just 25% of required inventory — have been worsened by deployments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Critics argue the sales freeze undermines alliances and risks billions in U.S. defense revenue, while advocates note that foreign military sales help fund research and production.
Even as sales to Europe stall, the Trump administration is seeking congressional approval for nearly $6 billion in new weapons for Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The package includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters and a $1.9 billion deal for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles. Delivery would likely take two to three years, with costs covered by U.S. foreign military financing, according to documents reviewed by the Journal.
The State Department has been pressing the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approval. The proposal was first sent to lawmakers about a month before Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, and the administration has continued to pursue authorization since the attack, the report said.
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