The Trump administration plans to inform NATO allies this week that it will reduce the pool of U.S. military forces available to the alliance during major crises or wartime, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Under the NATO Force Model, member countries designate military assets that can be activated in the event of conflict or emergencies, including an attack on a NATO member state. While the exact composition of these forces is classified, the Pentagon has decided to significantly reduce the U.S. contribution to that pool, the sources said.
The move reflects President Donald Trump’s longstanding position that European countries should assume greater responsibility for their own defence rather than relying heavily on Washington.
According to Reuters, the decision is expected to be formally communicated at a meeting of NATO defense policy officials in Brussels on Friday.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby has said the United States will continue to provide NATO with its nuclear umbrella, even as European allies are expected to take the lead on conventional military capabilities.
The United States is expected to be represented at the Brussels meeting by Alex Velez-Green, a senior aide to Colby. One source said revising U.S. commitments under the NATO Force Model has become a priority for Colby’s team ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in Turkey in July.
The Pentagon has not commented publicly on the plan, and a NATO spokesperson referred questions to the United States.
The proposed reduction comes as the alliance faces growing strain. In recent weeks, the Trump administration announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 U.S. troops from Europe, including the cancellation of a scheduled Army brigade deployment to Poland.
Some European governments fear Washington may eventually reduce its security role even further, though a senior NATO diplomat told Reuters there remains an expectation that the United States would come to Europe’s defence if necessary.
Trump has repeatedly criticised European allies for underinvesting in their militaries and depending too heavily on U.S. conventional forces. European governments argue they are increasing defence spending, but that strengthening military capabilities will take time.
