We regret the decision by US President Donald Trump on the planned withdrawal from the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This is a setback to endeavours by the international community to improve regulation of the trade in conventional weapons.

The US is the largest exporter of conventional weapons and thus has particular responsibility for establishing international standards. Over 130 countries have joined the ATT since it entered into force in 2014. When even such achievements in international cooperation face ever greater pressure, we Europeans must lobby all the more resolutely to strengthen multilateralism. We will continue our efforts to strengthen and universalise the ATT.