The Trump administration has sent a questionnaire to NATO allies seeking to assess their support for President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and their alignment with Washington ahead of a broader review of the US military presence in Europe, Bloomberg reported.
The questionnaire asks NATO members whether they have publicly supported US foreign-policy initiatives, imposed restrictions on the use of their military bases by US forces, or opposed regulations that could limit contracts with American defence companies.
Washington is also seeking information on allies’ defence spending and purchases from US defence contractors, while examining their positions on “Made in Europe” policies that encourage European countries to favour domestic defence companies.
The move has reportedly raised concerns among some NATO allies, who see the questionnaire as an attempt to link US security commitments with political support for the Trump administration. Such a shift could mark a significant change in the traditional transatlantic security relationship.
The questionnaire comes as the Trump administration conducts a six-month review of the US military presence in Europe, which is expected to conclude by December. The review could result in reductions in US troops and military assets deployed across the continent.
The United States has already announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany, while President Trump has pledged to send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland. The review could also affect US strategic bombers, drones and naval assets assigned to reinforce NATO allies in the event of an attack.
The questionnaire also reflects growing disagreements between Washington and European allies over US military operations and European defence procurement. Several European countries have pushed for greater reliance on European defence industries rather than American suppliers.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, however, has described the US review of its military presence in Europe as a positive and sensible step. He has argued that regular reviews could strengthen the alliance and bring NATO members closer together.
The latest development comes amid heightened debate over how much responsibility European NATO members should assume for the continent’s defence and how closely they should align with Washington’s foreign-policy priorities.