An isolationist United States might still be willing to sell weapons, components, and spare parts. The problem is whether Australia and other buyers would trust those supplies to continue during a crisis that Washington preferred to avoid. Withdrawal from existing commitments would become evidence that later promises could also change. Procurement decisions would therefore turn on national risk and supplier reputation, not simply on which weapon offered the best performance.
Notable Point · 39:29-40:30
Why arms-supply promises depend on alliance reputation
Even continued American arms sales might not reassure allies once withdrawal from earlier commitments weakened confidence in future supply.