Trump signs formal request for U.S. to oppose global Arms Trade Treaty

President Trump signed a formal request for the Senate to discontinue the United States' ratification process for the global Arms Trade Treaty on Friday.

The big picture: Russia, North Korea and Syria are the only other countries that oppose this treaty, which "seeks to prevent illicit arms transfers that fuel destructive conflicts, making it harder to conduct weapon sales in violation of arms embargoes," per Washington Post reporter Missy Ryan.

What he's saying: "I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment. We're taking our signature back. The United Nations will soon receive a formal notice that America is rejecting this treaty," Trump said on Friday at the NRA's annual meeting in Indianapolis.

The backdrop: The U.S. had not previously ratified the treaty, which dates back to the George W. Bush administration.