The Trump administration has reportedly drawn up a “naughty or nice” list of NATO allies, categorising them based on their contribution to the alliance. The list, which has not been officially confirmed, was prepared ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Washington earlier this month.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth first floated the idea in December, telling a defence forum that “model allies” would receive “special favour” while those failing to meet commitments would “face consequences”. A European diplomat told Politico the list extends this concept, adding: “The White House has a naughty and nice paper so I guess the thinking is similar.”
The reported list could prompt the US to take adverse actions such as moving troops or blocking sales of American defence technology. However, observers warned these measures might ultimately harm the US more than the targeted nations. “Moving troops is one option, but it mainly punishes the U.S., doesn’t it?” a European official said.
Countries such as Poland and Romania are likely to receive positive marks—Poland is one of the alliance’s biggest defence spenders, while Romania has allowed US forces to use an air base as part of the war against Iran. Most other NATO members have declined to join the conflict, angering President Trump.
Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO for its perceived lack of support. At an event in Arizona, he said: “NATO offered belatedly to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz… I told them I would have liked your help two months ago… they were absolutely useless when we needed them.” The president also wrote on social media: “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN.”
