Trump meeting major defense contractors amid munitions stockpiles concerns

President Trump is set to meet with the heads of the biggest U.S. defense firms on Wednesday amid concerns of America’s dwindling stockpile of sophisticated munitions.

Trump has summoned the top military contractors along with senior Pentagon officials to the White House to discuss increasing munitions production, a meeting that is expected to be contentious, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The gathering was tentatively scheduled for earlier this month but had been moved due to negotiations to end the Iran war, according to the outlet.

Asked about the planned meeting, the White House referred The Hill to Trump’s comments from Monday, during which he seemed to confirm the gathering.

“We’re building plants all over the country,” Trump said from the Oval Office, noting that automakers General Motors and Ford would begin to help produce weapons.

“Some of the car companies, if they have any excess capacity, they’re making a deal to build missiles and the Patriot in particular,” Trump said.

The Wall Street Journal last week reported that Lockheed Martin was in talks with General Motors to supply the defense firm with some parts that could help it boost munitions........

© The Hill