U.S. tests NATO allies' loyalty ahead of possible cuts to military support
The White House has sent NATO members a questionnaire seeking positions on Iran, Venezuela and defence procurement before any decision on cutting U.S. military support.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is evaluating the loyalty of NATO allies as it considers whether to reduce the military resources Washington provides to the alliance.
The White House has circulated a questionnaire to NATO member states designed to measure how closely they back key elements of Trump's foreign policy. The document asks about a range of topics that have produced friction between Washington and European partners.
Among the issues listed in the questionnaire are potential U.S. military actions against Iran, allies' positions toward Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and European efforts to steer defence procurement toward domestic firms.
The questionnaire also puts direct questions to governments: whether a country has publicly supported U.S. foreign policy and what restrictions it has placed on the use of its bases by U.S. military forces. Washington is asking whether allies spend funds on U.S. defence companies and whether they have publicly opposed rules that could make contracting with American firms more difficult.
One excerpted question asks: "Has the country shown alignment with the American approach based on the principle 'strong, clear and peaceful'?"
Allied reactions
Officials inside NATO say some allies view these measures as an attempt to tie U.S. military protection to political conformity. Several governments privately argue the approach of "security through loyalty" risks eroding the post‑World War II foundations of the transatlantic relationship.
Photo: press material from the event
