Ammunition shortages, fierce fighting in Iran, Trump angrily denounces aid to Ukraine as "zero return," US military arsenal emptied.
2026-04-02 09:12:06
US President Trump stated that the United States had no need to intervene in the Ukraine issue. He called Ukraine "thousands of miles away, across the ocean," and criticized the previous government as "stupid" for providing substantial aid to Ukraine without "getting anything in return."
Trump pointed out that aid to Ukraine consumed a large amount of ammunition, and that the United States now needs to produce its own ammunition. "It's all because he sent too much ammunition to Ukraine." These remarks came at a time when the US-Israel war against Iran continues and US ammunition reserves are running low.
Trump continued his consistent stance, criticizing the previous administration for providing massive aid to Ukraine without receiving any tangible returns. He repeatedly mentioned that the total aid amounted to approximately $350 billion, including equipment and cash, and emphasized that European aid was far less than that from the United States.
While the actual total amount of US aid to Ukraine (including military, financial, and humanitarian support) ranges from approximately $120 billion to $188 billion depending on different statistical methods, Trump's statements highlight his skepticism about the efficiency and return on investment of this aid. He believes that these expenditures have not brought direct returns to US interests and have instead weakened US defense capabilities.
Trump specifically emphasized that military aid to Ukraine has depleted a significant portion of the munitions stockpile, creating supply pressure for the United States in the current conflict with Iran . The U.S. military has already used large quantities of precision-guided munitions, interceptors, and cruise missiles in the conflict with Iran, rapidly depleting its stockpiles.
In the current context, the United States' ammunition production capacity is struggling to quickly replenish supplies depleted by high-intensity conflict, and stockpiles of some key munitions are already strained. This issue has exacerbated Trump's criticism of past aid policies, arguing that the previous administration's excessive aid to Ukraine directly impacted current U.S. defense preparedness .
Trump's criticism continues his long-standing "America First" foreign policy, emphasizing reduced overseas military involvement and focusing resources on U.S. domestic interests and defense. He believes the Ukraine issue is far removed from the U.S. and that the U.S. should no longer bear the primary responsibility for aid.
This stance aligns with Trump's recent statements on Iran, namely prioritizing the achievement of core U.S. military objectives and ending the conflict as quickly as possible to avoid prolonged resource depletion.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has now lasted for four years, and the scale of US aid to Ukraine continues to spark domestic political controversy. Disagreements exist within the Republican Party and between both parties in Congress regarding the necessity, cost-effectiveness, and impact on the US defense industry.
Trump's remarks have further amplified the controversy, and given the current reality of tight ammunition reserves, the public and Congress may exert greater pressure on future aid decisions.
Trump's remarks and related text reveal controversies surrounding US aid, ammunition shortages, and an "America First" policy inclination. These factors have reinforced market concerns about the unpredictability of US diplomacy, continued fiscal drain, and a decline in global leadership. Coupled with the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, these factors will significantly increase market demand for safe-haven assets, thus providing a clear long-term safe-haven support for gold .
On Thursday (April 2) during the Asian session, spot gold rose and then fell back. It once fluctuated upwards to $4,800.30 per ounce, but then quickly fell back by nearly $60 to $4,724 due to Trump's latest remarks. It is currently trading around $4,760 per ounce.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
Trump publicly criticized US aid to Ukraine, arguing that intervention was unnecessary and unprofitable, and that the large amount of ammunition consumed exacerbated the current stockpile pressure on the US in the conflict with Iran. This statement highlights his "America First" policy orientation, emphasizing reducing overseas military commitments and prioritizing homeland defense needs. Against the backdrop of the four-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding aid to Ukraine will continue to influence the direction of US foreign and defense policy, and the future scale and form of aid may face further adjustments.
At 9:11 AM Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4757.13 per ounce.
Trump pointed out that aid to Ukraine consumed a large amount of ammunition, and that the United States now needs to produce its own ammunition. "It's all because he sent too much ammunition to Ukraine." These remarks came at a time when the US-Israel war against Iran continues and US ammunition reserves are running low.
The scale of aid and accusations of no return
Trump continued his consistent stance, criticizing the previous administration for providing massive aid to Ukraine without receiving any tangible returns. He repeatedly mentioned that the total aid amounted to approximately $350 billion, including equipment and cash, and emphasized that European aid was far less than that from the United States.
While the actual total amount of US aid to Ukraine (including military, financial, and humanitarian support) ranges from approximately $120 billion to $188 billion depending on different statistical methods, Trump's statements highlight his skepticism about the efficiency and return on investment of this aid. He believes that these expenditures have not brought direct returns to US interests and have instead weakened US defense capabilities.
Trump specifically emphasized that military aid to Ukraine has depleted a significant portion of the munitions stockpile, creating supply pressure for the United States in the current conflict with Iran . The U.S. military has already used large quantities of precision-guided munitions, interceptors, and cruise missiles in the conflict with Iran, rapidly depleting its stockpiles.
In the current context, the United States' ammunition production capacity is struggling to quickly replenish supplies depleted by high-intensity conflict, and stockpiles of some key munitions are already strained. This issue has exacerbated Trump's criticism of past aid policies, arguing that the previous administration's excessive aid to Ukraine directly impacted current U.S. defense preparedness .
America First Diplomatic Tendency
Trump's criticism continues his long-standing "America First" foreign policy, emphasizing reduced overseas military involvement and focusing resources on U.S. domestic interests and defense. He believes the Ukraine issue is far removed from the U.S. and that the U.S. should no longer bear the primary responsibility for aid.
This stance aligns with Trump's recent statements on Iran, namely prioritizing the achievement of core U.S. military objectives and ending the conflict as quickly as possible to avoid prolonged resource depletion.
Domestic political disputes in the United States
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has now lasted for four years, and the scale of US aid to Ukraine continues to spark domestic political controversy. Disagreements exist within the Republican Party and between both parties in Congress regarding the necessity, cost-effectiveness, and impact on the US defense industry.
Trump's remarks have further amplified the controversy, and given the current reality of tight ammunition reserves, the public and Congress may exert greater pressure on future aid decisions.
Analysis of the impact on the gold market
Trump's remarks and related text reveal controversies surrounding US aid, ammunition shortages, and an "America First" policy inclination. These factors have reinforced market concerns about the unpredictability of US diplomacy, continued fiscal drain, and a decline in global leadership. Coupled with the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, these factors will significantly increase market demand for safe-haven assets, thus providing a clear long-term safe-haven support for gold .
On Thursday (April 2) during the Asian session, spot gold rose and then fell back. It once fluctuated upwards to $4,800.30 per ounce, but then quickly fell back by nearly $60 to $4,724 due to Trump's latest remarks. It is currently trading around $4,760 per ounce.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
Editor's Summary
Trump publicly criticized US aid to Ukraine, arguing that intervention was unnecessary and unprofitable, and that the large amount of ammunition consumed exacerbated the current stockpile pressure on the US in the conflict with Iran. This statement highlights his "America First" policy orientation, emphasizing reducing overseas military commitments and prioritizing homeland defense needs. Against the backdrop of the four-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding aid to Ukraine will continue to influence the direction of US foreign and defense policy, and the future scale and form of aid may face further adjustments.
At 9:11 AM Beijing time, spot gold was trading at $4757.13 per ounce.
- Risk Warning and Disclaimer
- The market involves risk, and trading may not be suitable for all investors. This article is for reference only and does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account certain users’ specific investment objectives, financial situation, or other needs. Any investment decisions made based on this information are at your own risk.
