The New Geopolitics of the Arms Trade Treaty
The New Geopolitics of the Arms Trade Treaty
The 2013 Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) sets international standards for the transfer of conventional weapons. The United States was heavily involved in the treaty’s negotiation but has moved to the sidelines during the Trump administration, whereas China now engages more actively. In light of shifting balances of power and rising great power competition, these developments have several effects on the ATT and international cooperation regarding global arms transfers, eventually indicating a new phase of multilateralism in international security.
Disclaimer: This article was first published by the Arms Control Association here. The views, information and opinions expressed in the written publications are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those shared by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy or its employees. The GCSP is not responsible for and may not always verify the accuracy of the information contained in the written publications submitted by a writer.
Dr Tobias Vestner is the Director of the Research and Policy Advice Department and the Head of the Security and Law Programme at the GCSP. He is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, a Fellow at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. He serves as reserve Legal Advisor at the Swiss Armed Forces Staff.
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