The landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), regulating the international trade in conventional arms – from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships – entered into force on 24 December 2014.
This is all hot air. The signed executive order only means he won't sign any ratification of the treaty. Trump always does the next flamboyant thing in anticipation of making his base happy. He is powerless if the USA decides to ratify the treaty. This is politics.
It is a very important treaty. The USA is a signatory of the treaty and it should be proud in that leadership. The treaty is in full force because 50 other countries have already ratified it.
The UN Arms Trade Treaty keeps weapons out of the hands of al Qaeda. Trump's decision only insults the people in the audience. The UN Arms Trade Treaty has nothing to do with USA sovereignty. The USA is still able to arm itself to protect sovereignty. He is fooling the audience.
One of the greatest problems in the world, especially the Third World, is the ability of rebels to arm themselves. That is particularly true in Africa and has kept the countries on that continent in turmoil for centuries. On this blog there is a weekend discussion about the difficulty that has faced the countries of Africa due to the differences of language, culture and leadership in that order.
Exploiting natural resources provides an income to purchase weapons from illegal dealers. We saw that clearly with Boko Haram (click here). The reality of Africa is changing and that is partly due to the success of the UN Arms Trade Treaty.
Oddly enough, Trump hates Iran. This same treaty can be invoked when Iran sends arms to known rebel groups, including the Houthis in Yemen. If the arms continue to flow into that region to arm rebels the war in Yemen will never end. This treaty is to prevent such fuel to the fire that is hate between religions.
Donald Trump uses hate and the power of the presidency to make really inflammatory remarks to those that support him.
The USA legislature has power and the president simply can't write an executive order to end the law of the land. The power of the legislature is what makes the USA a world class economy and a world class power. That executive order is meaningless and it may as well have been a pledge on a flyer.
