NATO is adjusting its language on climate, gender equality, and diversity in light of the new Trump administration. According to information provided to Politico by three informed sources, Alliance staff are aligning their statements to avoid potential backlash from the U.S. government.
Recent changes in NATO documents, developed by committees and working groups, reflect an effort to use phrasing that is more acceptable to the United States. The new administration has been active in criticizing initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), attempting to restrict funding to universities and revoke federal programs that support such measures. Steps are also being taken to purge the Pentagon of any trace of these initiatives.
Instead of “green technologies,” the term “innovative technologies” is now being used, and “climate” has been replaced with “operational environment,” according to another source within NATO.
Additionally, officials are avoiding terms related to “gender” or “Women, Peace, and Security,” as they seek consensus among all 32 NATO member states, including the U.S. However, NATO advisers working on climate and environmental challenges in military operations have not yet encountered these changes.
Trump insists that Europe stop “freeloading” and start investing more in its own defense, demanding an increase in NATO’s defense spending target from 2% to 5% of GDP.
On October 12, the U.S. administration proposed a 48% cut to the State Department’s budget, which would negatively impact NATO, the UN, and other international organizations.
