One of America’s European allies is quietly building a Trump workaround, leaked memo alleges

Belgium hosts NATO’s headquarters and has leaned on Washington for security for decades. A leaked memo from the Belgian foreign ministry now says “the American partner is no longer the ally it has been in the past,” according to the Financial Times. The paper sets out how Belgium could protect its interests without depending on Donald Trump’s administration alone.

The leaked memo was drafted by the ministry’s Americas and Caribbean unit late last year, several months into Trump’s second term. It calls for a thorough re-evaluation of Belgium’s and the European Union’s relationship with Washington, warning that U.S. political dynamics could compromise vital Belgian and EU interests. However, it also says engagement with the current administration must continue.

The leaked memo pairs that engagement with outreach beyond the White House. It says contacts with Republican and Democratic states and major U.S. cities should be significantly strengthened, alongside continued talks with Democratic politicians and members of Congress. Diplomats are also told to identify emerging figures in both parties who could shape future U.S. policy.

Belgian diplomats believe Trump has a soft spot for royalty

The leaked memo also warns against underestimating the respect Trump has for royal families. Since the paper was drafted, King Philippe has visited the U.S., while Queen Mathilde joined Belgian ministers in New York for this week’s UN General Assembly. Officials are told to calibrate visits and public actions, as the paper wants Belgium to avoid being seen as hostile.

Defense is one area where the leaked memo pushes for less reliance on Washington. It notes that the Trump administration views purchases of American weapons favorably, but recommends that Belgium buy more European military equipment. That shift could take years, as Belgium is still building a fleet of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to replace its aging F-16s.

Trade is another pressure point, as the U.S. is Belgium’s largest trading partner outside the EU. The paper warns that deeper engagement could leave Belgium more exposed to disputes and American protectionism. It concludes that broadening Belgium’s partnerships has never been more important.

A foreign ministry spokesperson described the leaked memo as an internal working document that should be distinguished from an agreed government strategy. The spokesperson said reviewing how international developments affect Belgium’s ties with allies is part of the ministry’s regular work. However, the ministry added that changes in U.S. policy warrant that kind of reflection.

Those concerns have also spilled into public view. Last month, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot summoned U.S. Ambassador Bill White after White shared an AI-generated image mocking Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke over new alcohol warnings. Prévot criticized Trump’s address to the UN General Assembly this week, saying it focused on U.S. domestic politics rather than international issues. The same gathering saw the signing of Trump’s Greenland security deal with Denmark, which followed months of takeover threats against a fellow NATO member.

Americans vote in the midterm elections on November 3, and the results could reshape the Congress that Belgian diplomats were told to court.