From Foreign Policy · John Drennan, Ariane Tabatabai · · 3m
Congress Can Do More to Defend U.S. Alliances
Congress must act to strengthen U.S. alliances amid Trump administration's threats to allies.
In brief
Congress must act to strengthen U.S. alliances amid Trump administration's threats to allies. Congress should expand defense industrial cooperation and limit Trump administration's unilateral actions to protect U.S. treaty alliances. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Trump Administration Strains Alliances
The second Trump administration has placed significant strain on U.S. treaty alliances by threatening the sovereignty of long-time allies such as Canada and Denmark and wielding tariffs as a weapon of first resort.
Administration's Actions on Alliances
The administration has sought major force posture changes without allied consultation and reportedly based on ideological considerations rather than military requirements, and attempted to interfere in allied domestic politics.
Congress Should Reassert Powers
The new Democratic majority in Congress should reassert powers as a co-equal branch of government to demonstrate that the administration’s turn against allies is not a settled fact of U.S. political life.
Practical Steps for Defense Cooperation
Congress must take practical steps to remove obstacles to defense industrial base integration and make it harder for the administration to take unilateral steps that sabotage alliances.
Economic Priorities and Alliances
Reasserting congressional authority over foreign policy is a national security imperative and part of the Democrats’ affordability agenda as Trump’s tariffs have added to Americans’ woes while economic integration can spur growth and jobs.
Integrating Allies into Defense Base
Congress could treat more allies as part of the U.S. defense industrial base by adding countries to the National Technology and Industrial Base and extending exemptions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Funding for Co-Production
Congress should increase funding for co-production of critical capabilities such as the Patriot PAC-3 and counter-drone capabilities to ensure the Pentagon follows through on commitments.
Maritime Security Efforts
The legislature could consider complementing bipartisan U.S. maritime security efforts with additional exemptions to 10 USC. 8679 for allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific that can make major shipbuilding contributions.
Icebreaker Collaboration Example
The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact among the United States, Canada, and Finland offers a template for Finnish shipyards building new U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers as domestic U.S. production capacity ramps up.
Funding Mechanisms
Congress could pass a supplemental appropriation aimed at building munitions production in the United States and allied countries with allies co-funding each co-production initiative.
Reviewing Authorities
Congress could review authorities preventing deeper cooperation, including limitations on how much allies can do with and for U.S. forces to support their readiness and operations.
Automatic Approvals
Congress could institute automatic approvals if the executive branch has not acted within a specified period and establish standing consent for transfers among treaty allies.
Baltic Security Initiative
Section 1249 of the 2026 NDAA bars U.S. troop reductions in Europe below 76,000 without independent certification from both the commander of U.S. European Command and the secretary of defense.
Trade Review Act
Congress could pass a bill similar to the bipartisan Trade Review Act to make any new tariff lapse after 60 days without congressional approval.
The main idea
Congress should expand defense industrial cooperation and limit Trump administration's unilateral actions to protect U.S. treaty alliances.
