The US has divided its NATO allies into "good" and "bad"

The Trump administration has compiled lists of "good" and "bad" NATO allies, Politico reported, citing European diplomats and a Pentagon official familiar with the plan.

According to sources, Washington is considering the possibility of rewarding countries that support its policies, as well as measures to put pressure on those allies that have refused to participate in the military campaign against Iran.

As journalists note, a similar concept was previously voiced by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In December 2025, he stated that "model allies," including Israel, South Korea, Poland, Germany, and the Baltic states, could count on special treatment from Washington. Meanwhile, states that fail to fulfill their collective defense obligations could face consequences.

Specific incentives or penalties have not yet been disclosed. According to one European official, the redeployment of American troops to Europe is being discussed as a possible option, but such a move could prove costly and difficult to implement. Joint military exercises and arms supplies are also being considered.

Sources cite Poland and Romania as countries that stand to benefit most from such a policy. The former spends significant resources on defense and covers most of the costs of maintaining the approximately 10,000 American troops stationed there. Romania, for its part, expanded its airbase and allowed the US to use it for operations against Iran. According to the publication, Bulgaria also provided support for American logistics in the Middle East.

Earlier, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that Donald Trump was considering stripping NATO voting rights from countries that don't reach 5% of GDP in defense spending. According to the newspaper, this idea arose after European allies refused to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on April 8, Trump again criticized allies for their lack of support in the conflict with Iran and raised the issue of Greenland, saying the alliance had failed to support the United States at the right time.