Why U.S. Arms Sales to NATO Members Have Halted

Over five billion dollars’ worth of U.S. arms contracts intended to support the country’s allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine have been postponed due to the federal government shutdown.

According to Rokna, citing Axios, estimates from the U.S. State Department indicate that more than five billion dollars in arms sales to NATO allies and Ukraine have been delayed. A senior State Department official stated, “This situation genuinely harms our allies and partners, as well as U.S. industry, because many critical capabilities are not being transferred abroad.”

Many U.S. export weapons are sold to European countries to be indirectly supplied to Ukraine.

Under the Arms Export Control Act, Congress must review proposed weapons sales. Numerous State Department staff responsible for providing information to congressional committees and ensuring the process runs smoothly have been placed on mandatory leave, causing delays in the sales process.

A senior official noted that last month, the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs had only about one-quarter of its workforce available to advance arms export processes.

Tommy Piggott, a State Department spokesperson, blamed the Democratic Party for the government shutdown, stating: “Weapons sales to NATO member countries are essential, and the shutdown harms U.S. industry as well as the security of the country and our allies.”

James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, added: “China and Russia do not have shutdowns; their efforts to weaken the U.S. and our partners are easier while our industrial base suffers and our allies’ needs go unmet.”

The last government shutdown occurred during Donald Trump’s first term, from December 2018 to January 2019, when he sought funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. That shutdown lasted 35 days and ended under intense pressure due to flight delays and unpaid federal employees, becoming the longest in U.S. history.