The US intends to significantly reduce the military contributions available to assist European allies in times of crisis, including fighter jets, warships, and mid-air refueling planes.
According to Der Spiegel, an envoy of the American Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, informed senior officials from member states about this plan at NATO headquarters in Brussels last weekend.
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the Trump administration intended to announce to NATO allies that it would reduce the fund of military capabilities available to the alliance during a crisis.
NATO is under unprecedented pressure, with some European countries concerned that Washington might completely withdraw.
The US President, Donald Trump, has strongly criticized European allies for not spending enough on their militaries and has pledged to withdraw thousands of soldiers from Germany.
His ambition to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory overseas, has further inflamed transatlantic tensions.
Trump has also vehemently criticized European allies for lack of support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz for maritime transport amid the conflict with Iran, stating that he is considering withdrawing from the alliance and questioning whether Washington is obligated to honor its mutual defense clause.
The United States plans to provide only half of the previous number of strategic bombers, according to information obtained by Der Spiegel. Additionally, the number of American fighter jets is set to decrease by a third, as stated by American envoy Alexander Velez-Green during the closed-door meeting.
Furthermore, the US Navy is expected to offer NATO fewer destroyers, and the US no longer intends to provide any submarines to the alliance.
With these changes, Europe will have to produce its own reconnaissance drones, while the US plans to significantly reduce the supply of armed models.
The US will provide further details at a conference in early June, as reported in the Der Spiegel article.
A NATO spokesperson told Der Spiegel that there has been an "excessive dependence" on the US in NATO force planning and that, with the increase in Europe's and Canada's defense investments, the military responsibilities within the alliance could be reorganized.