Month: February 2026

Source: United States White House

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“Today’s blockbuster, expectation-shattering jobs report proves that President Trump’s economic agenda continues to pay off. The unemployment rate fell and private sector job growth remains robust — particularly for specialty trade construction jobs as the trillions in investments secured by the President pour into American manufacturing. With new revisions showing that the Biden jobs market was even worse than expected, President Trump continues to turn the page on the Biden disaster by rightsizing federal employment to the lowest level since 1966 and turbocharging economic growth.”
— White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai

Job growth surged in January — and the strength is in the private sector.

• The economy added 172,000 new private sector jobs and shed 42,000 government jobs — bringing the unemployment rate down to 4.3%.
  • As President Trump’s agenda takes effect, factory groundbreakings and data centers are leading to more construction jobs — with construction employment up 33,000 in January, including 25,000 new jobs in the nonresidential specialty trades (the highest monthly change in five years).
• January’s 130,000 new nonfarm jobs is the best month of job growth yet, signaling President Trump’s pro-growth policies are starting to deliver real momentum in the labor market.
• In President Trump’s second term, 615,000 private sector jobs have been added while federal employment has declined to its lowest level since 1966 — and the lowest level in recorded history as a share of the total workforce.

As wage growth booms, Americans want to join the Trump Economy.

• Average weekly earnings for private sector employees rose 0.7% in January.
  • In President Trump’s second term, average weekly earnings have grown by 4.3% and average hourly earnings have increased by 3.7%.
• Prime-age labor force participation rose to its highest level since 2001 as more Americans come off the sidelines and enter the workforce.

The numbers shattered expectations (again).

• In fact, the number of new jobs added in January was more than double economists’ predictions, coming in higher than nearly all economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

The labor market under Biden was far weaker than we already knew.

• From initial release to the current estimate, job growth over Biden’s final two years was overstated by 1.9 million jobs.

Source: United States White House

President Donald J. Trump has been unequivocal: Nothing is more fundamental than the integrity and security of our elections. That’s why the Trump Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act — commonsense legislation that requires voters to present photo ID and implements other critical measures to protect federal elections from fraud and abuse.

Yet, despite overwhelming popular support across every demographic, Radical Left Democrat politicians continue to block these reforms, placing partisan politics above the clear will of the American people — including their own voters — and above the basic security of our elections.

FACT: Voter ID is extremely popular with Americans.

Polling has consistently shown strong majorities — including among Democrats, independents, Whites, Blacks, and Latinos — support voter ID requirements.

• Pew Research Center: 83% of Americans favor requiring all voters to show government-issued photo ID to vote, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Just 16% of Americans are in opposition.
• Gallup: 84% of Americans support requiring photo ID to vote, including 98% of Republicans, 84% of independents, and 67% of Democrats. Separately, 83% support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.
• Additional surveys, including from Napolitan News Service and The Center Square, consistently show extraordinary support for voter ID.
• CNN reporter Harry Enten: “The bottom line is this: Voter ID is NOT controversial in this country. A photo ID to vote is NOT controversial in this country. It is not controversial by party and it is not controversial by race. The vast majority of Americans agree.”
• NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas: “Voter ID rules do have wide public support, but the vast majority of Democrats on Capitol Hill oppose them.”

This isn’t a close call. It’s time for Congress to act — and for Democrat politicians to stop standing in the way of election security.

Source: United States White House

ACHIEVING RECIPROCAL TRADE: Last Friday, in a Joint Statement, President Donald J. Trump announced a trade deal between the United States and India that will open up India’s market of over 1.4 billion people to American products. 

• Friday’s Joint Statement follows a call between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, in which the leaders reached a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal trade and reaffirmed their commitment to broader U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations.  
• Also on the call, President Trump agreed to remove the additional 25% tariff on imports from India in recognition of India’s commitment to stop purchasing Russian Federation oil. Accordingly, the President signed an Executive Order last Friday removing that additional 25% tariff.
• Given India’s willingness to align with the United States to confront systemic imbalances in the bilateral trade relationship and shared national security challenges, the United States will lower the Reciprocal Tariff on India from 25% to 18%.
• The key terms of the Agreement include:
  • India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, certain pulses, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products.
  • India committed to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of U.S. energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal, and other products. 
  • India will address non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade in priority areas. 
  • The United States and India will negotiate rules of origin that ensure that the agreed benefits accrue predominately to the United States and India.
  • India will remove its digital services taxes and committed to negotiate a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules that address discriminatory or burdensome practices and other barriers to digital trade, including rules that prohibit the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions. 
  • The United States and India committed to strengthen economic security alignment to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address non-market policies of third parties as well as cooperating on inbound and outbound investment reviews and export controls.
  • The United States and India will significantly increase bilateral trade in technology products and expand joint technology cooperation.

THE PROSPEROUS PATH FORWARD:  President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers to protect our economic and national security.

• India has maintained some of the highest tariffs on the United States of any major world economy, with tariffs as high as an average of 37% for agricultural goods and more than 100% on certain autos.
• India also has a history of imposing highly protectionist non-tariff barriers that have banned and prohibited many U.S. exports to India.
• In the coming weeks, the United States and India will promptly implement this framework and work toward finalizing the Interim Agreement with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial BTA to lock in benefits for American workers and businesses.
• In line with the roadmap set out in the Terms of Reference for the BTA, the United States and India will continue negotiations to address the remaining tariff barriers, additional non-tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, customs and trade facilitation, good regulatory practices, trade remedies, services and investment, intellectual property, labor, environment, government procurement, and trade-distorting or unfair practices of state-owned enterprises.

LIBERATING AMERICA FROM UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES: President Trump has challenged the assumption that American workers and businesses must tolerate unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged them for decades and contributed to our historic global trade deficit.

• On April 2, 2025, President Trump declared a national emergency in response to the large and persistent U.S. goods trade deficit caused by a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships, unfair tariff and non-tariff barriers, and U.S. trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages and consumption.
• President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and expanding market access for American exporters, including in the agricultural sector.
• Today’s announcement provides a tangible path forward with India that underscores the President’s dedication to realizing balanced, reciprocal trade with an important trading partner.

Source: United States White House

Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, this Administration is smashing through the chaos and destruction left by Democrats and unleashing the most aggressive pursuit of the America First agenda in history. While the Fake News and Radical Left collude to distract, depress, and divide, they’re simply lying to mask the undeniable truth: America is safer, stronger, richer, and more secure than at any point in decades.

Don’t take the bait. New victories pour in daily as President Trump delivers on his promises and rebuilds the foundation for long-term success in the greatest nation on Earth.

Here are a few things to celebrate from just the past few days:

Stock Market Explodes and Retirement Accounts Soar

The Dow Jones Industrial Average just shattered 50,000 for the first time ever. With the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also smashing records, Americans’ 401(k)s and retirement savings are booming under President Trump’s pro-growth policies, proving that the economy is roaring back stronger than ever.

ICE Hammers Criminal Illegals

In just the past week, ICE arrested 650 illegals in West Virginia — including a convicted child sex abuser, drug pushers, burglars, and fraudsters. Nationwide, ICE continues removing convicted murderers, terrorists, drug traffickers, sex offenders, child abusers, domestic abusers, money launderers, and scores of other dangerous criminal illegals. In Minnesota, Operation Metro Surge has already taken over 4,000 criminal illegals off the streets — and it’s not stopping.

Ending the Barbaric Mutilation of Kids

Minnesota’s largest children’s hospital just halted prescriptions of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors, joining a growing list of institutions finally backing down amid the Trump Administration’s relentless pressure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons came out in opposition to gender mutilation surgeries for children — becoming the first major medical group to do so.

Court Victory Locks in Tough Immigration Enforcement

A federal appeals court just upheld the Trump Administration’s policy of detaining illegal aliens — validating the strong measures that have driven illegal crossings to historic lows and sent a crystal-clear message: Under President Trump, if you enter illegally, you will be detained and removed.

Crime Drops to New Record Lows

After record high crime across the country under Biden’s defund the police era, the murder rate has plunged to a 125-year low as crime falls across the board, according to new data. After the Trump Administration surged federal resources into crime-plagued Washington, D.C., the District went three weeks into the new year before recording its first homicide — the first time the nation’s capital had gone more than ten days into a new year without a murder in at least three decades.

Everyday Costs Continue Moderating

National median rents have fallen to a four-year low following six consecutive monthly declines, while mortgage affordability has surged to a four-year high following President Trump’s bold action to make homeownership affordable again. PepsiCo announced price cuts of up to 15% on core brands. And President Trump launched TrumpRx.gov, a transformative new government platform that gives Americans direct access to dramatically lower prices on common, high-cost prescription drugs. There’s a reason consumer sentiment has spiked to a six-month high.

Border Remains Sealed Up

For an unprecedented ninth straight month, there were ZERO illegal border crossings at the southern border — an achievement unparalleled in modern history.

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These wins aren’t happening by accident — they come after President Trump lodged the most productive first year of a presidential term in modern history — and aren’t happening by accident. President Trump promised to Make America Great Again, and he’s delivering bigger, faster, and harder than ever before.

The momentum is unstoppable. Don’t be a Panican; America is winning again — and more victories are coming.

Source: United States White House

The United States of America (the United States) and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Bangladesh) have agreed to an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (Agreement) to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship.  The Agreement will provide U.S. and Bangladeshi exporters unprecedented access to each other’s respective markets.  The Agreement will build upon our longstanding economic relationship, including the U.S.-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TIFCA), signed in 2013.

Key terms of the Agreement will include:

• Bangladesh has committed to provide significant preferential market access for U.S. industrial and agricultural goods, including: chemicals; medical devices; machinery and motor vehicles and parts; information and communicational technology (ICT) equipment; energy products; soy products; dairy products; beef; poultry; and tree nuts and fruit.

• The United States will reduce the reciprocal tariff rate, as initially set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, to 19 percent on originating goods of Bangladesh, and will identify products from the list set out in Annex III (Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners) to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements) to receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff rate.

• The United States commits to establish a mechanism that will allow for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh to receive a zero reciprocal tariff rate.  This mechanism will provide that a to-be-specified volume of apparel and textile imports from Bangladesh can enter the United States at this reduced tariff rate, but this volume shall be determined in relation to the quantity of exports of textiles, e.g. U.S. produced cotton and man-made fiber textile inputs, from the United States.

• The United States and Bangladesh commit to address Bangladesh’s non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade and investment in priority areas, including by Bangladesh: accepting vehicles built to U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; accepting U.S. Food and Drug Administration certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceuticals; and removing any import restrictions or licensing requirement on U.S. remanufactured goods or their parts. 

• Bangladesh commits to: permit the free transfer of data across trusted borders; support the adoption of a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization; follow science and risk-based processes to allow the import of safe U.S. food and agricultural goods; remove barriers in the insurance market; digitalize its customs procedures; and adopt and implement good regulatory practices.

• Bangladesh commits to protect internationally recognized labor rights, including: adopting and implementing a prohibition on the importation of goods produced by forced or compulsory labor; amending its labor laws to ensure that workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining are fully protected; and strengthening enforcement of its labor laws.

• Bangladesh commits to: adopt and maintain high levels of environmental protection and effectively enforce its environmental laws; improve customs and trade facilitation; and address distortions caused by subsidies and state-owned enterprises.

• Bangladesh commits to a robust standard for intellectual property protection and enforcement, including ratifying or acceding to and fully implementing certain international intellectual property treaties.  Bangladesh commits to groundbreaking provisions on geographical indications that will preserve U.S. market access, particularly for U.S. cheese and meat producers who rely on the use of common names.

• The United States and Bangladesh are committed to strengthening economic and national security alignment to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address unfair trade practices worldwide, as well as by combatting duty evasion, cooperating on export controls, and sharing information on inbound investment in our respective territories.

• Bangladesh commits to strengthen and enforce comprehensive anti-corruption laws.

• The United States shall work through its U.S. institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), if eligible, to consider supporting investment financing in critical sectors in Bangladesh in collaboration with U.S. private sector partners, consistent with applicable law.

• Finally, the United States and Bangladesh take note of recent and forthcoming commercial deals in the areas of agriculture, energy, and technology: 

• Procurement of aircraft.

• Purchases of approximately $3.5 billion of U.S. agriculture products, including wheat, soy, cotton, and corn.

• Purchases of energy products, with an estimated value of $15 billion over 15 years.

• The United States and Bangladesh, consistent with their respective internal procedures, will promptly finalize the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, and undertake domestic formalities in advance of the Agreement entering into force.

Source: United States White House

This Super Bowl Sunday, I send my best wishes to the athletes and coaches of the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks as they take the field and to the millions of Americans gathering across the country to watch these two storied franchises compete on one of the grandest and most legendary stages in all of sports.

As our country proudly marks 250 glorious years of American independence, tonight’s game carries special meaning.  In many ways, the story of our country’s most popular sport mirrors our own American journey.  As our Nation industrialized in the early twentieth century, football emerged in working communities and reflected the same values of grit, tenacity, and discipline that defined the American worker.  As our country’s economy expanded, the game grew along with our Nation’s prosperity.  And as advances in technology connected Americans from coast to coast, football entered households everywhere, turning Sundays into traditions shared across generations.

Before kickoff this evening, during the playing of our National Anthem, we remember the patriots who secured our independence 250 years ago through courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in the cause of liberty.  We pause to honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who carry that legacy forward, defending and preserving our way of life throughout history and into the future.  Their service makes possible the freedoms we hold dear, including the privilege to gather with family and friends on a Sunday night to watch football and the blessing to live in the strongest and freest Nation the world has ever known.

Tonight’s game is more than just a championship—it’s a uniquely American tradition that reflects the distinct passion and perseverance of our country.  On the field, players and coaches bring years of hard work, preparation, and commitment to football’s biggest night.  Across the country, millions of fans come together to cheer on their teams and share in a moment of history.  Today, every American is a football fan.

Melania and I congratulate both teams on earning their place in Super Bowl LX, and we wish them luck as they compete for the National Football League’s iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy.  May tonight’s game reflect the best of football and the enduring triumph of the American spirit—and may the best team win!

Source: United States White House

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By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order:

Section 1.  Background.  Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022 (Prohibiting Certain Imports and New Investments With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine), expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation), to include the actions taken against Ukraine by the Government of the Russian Federation.  To address that unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, Executive Order 14066 prohibited, among other things, the importation into the United States of certain products of Russian Federation origin, including crude oil; petroleum; and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation.

In Executive Order 14329 of August 6, 2025 (Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation), I found that the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 has continued and that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  To deal with that threat, I determined that it was necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of India, which, at that time, was directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. 

I have received additional information and recommendations from senior officials regarding India’s efforts to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066.  Specifically, India has committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, has represented that it will purchase United States energy products from the United States, and has recently committed to a framework with the United States to expand defense cooperation over the next 10 years.

After considering the information and recommendations these officials have provided to me, among other things, I have determined that India has taken significant steps to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 and to align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters.  Accordingly, I have determined to eliminate the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed on imports of articles of India pursuant to Executive Order 14329.  In my judgment, this modification is necessary and appropriate to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14066.

Sec. 2.  Tariff Modifications.  Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 7, 2026, products of India imported into the United States shall no longer be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14329.  Accordingly, effective 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 7, 2026, headings 9903.01.84 through 9903.01.89 and subdivision (z) of U.S. Note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are hereby terminated.  To the extent that implementation of this order requires a refund of duties collected, refunds shall be processed pursuant to applicable law and the standard procedures of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for such refunds.

Sec. 3.  Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order.  The Secretary of State may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of State.  Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to carry out this order.

(b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission, shall determine whether modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are necessary to effectuate this order and may make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register.

Sec. 4.  Monitoring and Recommendations.  The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall monitor whether India resumes directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, as defined in section 7 of Executive Order 14329.  If the Secretary of Commerce finds that India has resumed directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take additional action as to India, including whether I should reimpose the additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of India.

Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of State.

                               DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 6, 2026.

Source: United States White House

The United States of America (United States) and India are pleased to announce that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade (Interim Agreement). Today’s framework reaffirms the countries’ commitment to the broader U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains. The Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countries’ partnership, demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomes.

Key terms of the Interim Agreement between the United States and India will include:

• India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products.

• The United States will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 percent under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended, on originating goods of India, including textile and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber, organic chemicals, home décor, artisanal products, and certain machinery, and, subject to the successful conclusion of the Interim Agreement, will remove the reciprocal tariff on a wide range of goods identified in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners Annex to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025 (Modifying the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishing Procedures for Implementing Trade and Security Agreements), as amended, including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts.

• The United States will also remove tariffs on certain aircraft and aircraft parts of India imposed to eliminate threats to national security found in Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), as amended; Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), as amended; and Proclamation 10962 of July 30, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Copper Into the United States).  Similarly, consistent with U.S. national security requirements, India will receive a preferential tariff rate quota for automotive parts subject to the tariff imposed to eliminate threats to national security found in Proclamation 9888 of May 17, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), as amended.  Contingent on the findings of the U.S. Section 232 investigation of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, India will receive negotiated outcomes with respect to generic pharmaceuticals and ingredients.

• The United States and India commit to provide each other preferential market access in sectors of respective interest on a sustained basis.

• The United States and India will establish rules of origin that ensure that the benefits of theAgreement accrue predominately to the United States and India. 

• The United States and India will address non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade. India agrees to address long-standing barriers to the trade in U.S. medical devices; eliminate restrictive import licensing procedures that delay market access for, or impose quantitative restrictions on, U.S. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods; and determine, with a view towards a positive outcome, within six months of entry into force of the Agreement whether U.S.-developed or international standards, including testing requirements, are acceptable for the purposes of U.S. exports entering the Indian market in identified sectors. Recognizing the importance of working together to resolve long-standing concerns, India also agrees to address long-standing non-tariff barriers to the trade in U.S. food and agricultural products.

• For the purposes of enhancing ease of compliance with applicable technical regulations, the United States and India intend to discuss their respective standards and conformity assessment procedures for mutually agreed sectors. 

• In the event of any changes to the agreed upon tariffs of either country, the United States and India agree that the other country may modify its commitments.

• The United States and India will work towards further expanding market access opportunities through the negotiations of the BTA. The United States affirms that it intends to take into consideration, during the negotiations of the BTA, India’s request that the United States continue to work to lower tariffs on Indian goods.

• The United States and India agree to strengthen economic security alignment to enhance supply chain resilience and innovation through complementary actions to address non- market policies of third parties, as well as cooperation on inbound and outbound investment reviews and export controls.

• India intends to purchase $500 billion of U.S. energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products, and coking coal over the next 5 years. India and the United States will significantly increase trade in technology products, including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and other goods used in data centers, and expand joint technology cooperation.

• The United States and India commit to address discriminatory or burdensome practices and other barriers to digital trade and to set a clear pathway to achieve robust, ambitious, and mutually beneficial digital trade rules as part of the BTA.

The United States and India will promptly implement this framework and work towards finalizing the Interim Agreement with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial BTA consistent with the roadmap agreed in the Terms of Reference BTA consistent with the roadmap agreed in the Terms of Reference.

Source: United States White House

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose.  American-manufactured military equipment is the best in the world, resulting in American dominance across international defense exports.  It is critical that the United States fully use this comparative advantage in arms transfers as both a tool of foreign policy and a tool to expand domestic production and transfer.

To maintain our military dominance and technological superiority, the time has come to establish, implement, and execute an America First Arms Transfer Strategy.  As the first strategy of its kind, it will ensure that future arms sales prioritize American interests by using foreign purchases and capital to build American production and capacity.  This strategy will advance a technologically superior, ready, and resilient national security industrial enterprise.  It will strengthen the United States defense industrial base to ensure it has the capacity to support our military and our allies and partners, especially as we increase burden-sharing.

Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to intentionally use arms transfers as a tool of American foreign policy and to expand strategically relevant industrial production capacity in the United States by:

(a)  establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy that provides clear direction and implementation guidance to arms transfer stakeholders; and

(b)  streamlining processes across executive departments and agencies (agencies) to strengthen effectiveness and create efficiencies in our defense sales enterprise.

Sec. 3.  An America First Arms Transfer Strategy.  (a)  An America First Arms Transfer Strategy shall accomplish the following objectives:

(i)    The United States will use arms sales and transfers to increase production and build production capacity for weapons and platforms the Secretary of War determines to be the most operationally relevant for executing the National Security Strategy (NSS);

(ii)   The United States will use foreign purchases and capital to support domestic reindustrialization, expand production capacity, and improve the resilience of the United States defense industrial base.  Arms sales and transfers will support Department of War (DoW) efforts to promote innovation and competition by incentivizing new entrants and nontraditional defense companies to contribute to the defense industrial base;

(iii)  The United States will use arms sales and transfers to reinforce DoW acquisition and sustainment activities, including by building critical supply chain resilience and avoiding adding to backlogs on priority components and end-items that impact United States or ally and partner readiness;

(iv)   Consistent with Executive Order 14268 of April 9, 2025 (Reforming Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability), the United States will prioritize arms sales and transfers to partners that have invested in their own self-defense and capabilities, have a critical role or geography in United States plans and operations, or contribute to our economic security.

(b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, a sales catalog of prioritized platforms and systems that the United States shall encourage our allies and partners to acquire.  The sales catalog shall be based on criteria identified in the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.

(c)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, shall provide recommendations to enhance advocacy efforts encouraging foreign procurement of defense articles produced in America for the purpose of supporting an America First Arms Transfer Strategy.

(d)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall identify Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales opportunities that will support the strategic objectives of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and the growth of the United States defense industrial base.

(e)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall develop an industry engagement plan and submit it to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, to enable the United States Government to fully coordinate with American stakeholders while executing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy.

Sec. 4.  Eliminating Inefficiencies in American Arms Transfers.  In order to fully implement an America First Arms Transfer Strategy and streamline our defense sales process, the United States Government shall undertake the following actions:

(i)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall develop clear criteria for determining which weapons, platforms, or capabilities require Enhanced End Use Monitoring.  Additionally, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish an End Use Monitoring coordination group, consisting of designees from each respective department, which will meet to improve the effectiveness and coordination of their respective department’s end-use monitoring activities.  These actions will improve information sharing and efficiencies to ensure allies and partners are complying with United States requirements and to reduce risk of diversion.

(ii)   Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of War, shall review Third-Party Transfer (TPT) processes and submit a plan to the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to reduce and potentially realign the onerous TPT process, with due consideration to technology security risks.

(iii)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall develop a process to provide advanced notice, as appropriate, to allies and partners of upcoming contracting actions and associated deadlines for FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance implementation.

(iv)   The Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall ensure effective coordination when assessing the impacts of Direct Commercial Sales to the defense industrial base.

(v)    To streamline Congressional notifications, Executive Order 13637 of March 8, 2013 (Administration of Reformed Export Controls) is hereby amended by revising section 1(j) and (k) to read as follows:

“(j)  Those under sections 36(a) Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(a)) to the Secretary of War.  The Secretary of War, in the implementation of the delegated functions under sections 36(a), shall consult with the Secretary of State.  With respect to those functions under sections 36(a)(5) and (6) (22 U.S.C. 2776(a)(5) and (6)), the Secretary of War shall also consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(k)  Those under section 36(b)(1), (c) and (d) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1), (c), and (d)) to the Secretary of State.  To ensure coordination, the Secretary of State shall notify the Secretary of War of the intent to formally notify the Congress of proposed arms transfers.”

Sec. 5.  Enhancing Accountability and Transparency.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish the Promoting American Military Sales Task Force (Task Force) to coordinate efforts to implement the America First Arms Transfer Strategy and enhance accountability and transparency throughout the arms transfer enterprise.  The Task Force shall:

(i)    be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs or his designee, and be composed of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;

(ii)   develop a charter to clearly define the specific objectives and structure of the Task Force;

(iii)  include as ex officio members the Service Acquisition Executives of the military departments and representatives of other non-military implementing agencies as appropriate to report on actions taken by the military departments and other implementing agencies to accelerate the contracting of priority FMS cases and ensure exportability of identified priority systems; and

(iv)   convene quarterly, or as required, to review progress implementing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy, including whether targeted defense sales align with the Strategy’s objectives.

(b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, and to further the reforms directed in Executive Order 14268, and to improve transparency for United States industry and partners and allies, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall begin to publish aggregate quarterly performance metrics on FMS case development and execution, and on the adjudication of Commerce and State export licenses.

Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise effect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War.

                              DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 6, 2026.

Source: United States White House

REINDUSTRIALIZING AMERICA THROUGH ARMS TRANSFERS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the America First Arms Transfer Strategy. This strategy will ensure that the American industrial base remains the Arsenal of Freedom for the United States and all of our partners and allies.

• Through the establishment of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy, the United States Government is tasked with ensuring that U.S. arms transfers must: (1) build production capacity for weapons that are most operationally relevant for the execution of the National Security Strategy; (2) support domestic reindustrialization and improve the resiliency of our defense industrial base; (3) strengthen critical supply chains; and (4) prioritize partners that have invested in their own self-defense and have a critical role or geography for executing the National Security Strategy.
• The Order directs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to: (1) develop a sales catalog of prioritized platforms and systems that support the goals of the America First Arms Transfer Strategy; (2) enhance advocacy efforts for U.S. arms transfers that are in line with the Strategy’s objectives; and (3) work with industry to ensure robust collaboration and coordination.
• The Order establishes the Promoting American Military Sales Task Force which will oversee Strategy implementation and monitor major defense sales progress.
• To reduce delays and cumbersome bureaucracy, the Order instructs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to immediately work to find efficiencies in the Enhanced End Use Monitoring criteria, the Third-Party Transfer process, and the Congressional Notification process.
• To increase transparency in our defense sales process, the Order directs the Secretaries of War, State, and Commerce to publish aggregate quarterly performance metrics on defense sales case execution.
• This groundbreaking Strategy will leverage America’s record-breaking defense sales to revitalize the defense industrial base, rapidly deliver American-manufactured weapons so our partners and allies can assume responsibility for the security of their region, and foster a more intentional and transparent arms transfer enterprise.

PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN ARMS TRANSFERS: Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the United States is selling more defense equipment than ever before.

• America’s old arms transfer paradigm failed to strategically prioritize our industrial base in connection with these sales.
  • Instead of leveraging our foreign defense sales to actively grow and shape our industrial base, our defense sales have historically been shaped by the priorities of our partners. This has resulted in an industrial base that does not function as effectively for the security of the American public as it could.
  • This previous partner-first arms sales approach represented a missed opportunity to expand our own manufacturing capabilities in a manner that puts America First.
  • This approach also resulted in production backlogs, cost overruns, and years-long delivery delays for partners and allies to receive critical weapons and platforms, as orders were mismatched to production capabilities.
• The America First Arms Transfer Strategy will now leverage over $300 billion in annual defense sales to strategically reindustrialize the United States and rapidly deliver American-manufactured weapons to help our partners and allies establish deterrence and defend themselves.
• Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, our partners and allies are beginning to take on more responsibility for the security of their region. To ensure they are able to do this effectively, the United States must be able to reliably and rapidly deliver them the best military equipment in the world.
• The America First Arms Transfer Strategydemands a fundamental shift in the United States Government’s approach to arms transfers that will benefit America, our industrial base, and our partners and allies.

ACCELERATING SALES OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURED EQUIPMENT:  President Trump is committed to ensuring America maintains the world’s strongest and most technologically advanced military, supported by a robust network of capable partners and allies.

• In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to modernize defense acquisitions and spur innovation in the defense industrial base, ensuring red tape is no longer slowing the defense industrial base’s ability to respond to emerging global threats and even basic requirements.
• In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to improve speed and accountability in the foreign defense sales system. The America First Arms Transfer Strategy announced today builds on the successful implementation of the April Executive Order.
• In January 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order to stop defense contractors from putting stock buybacks and excessive corporate distributions ahead of production capacity, innovation, and on-time delivery for America’s military.