The Heritage Foundation recommends that the U.S. support Romania in energy, defense and investment, but warns of domestic instability

Romania remains one of the United States’ most consistent allies on NATO’s eastern flank, but the economic potential of the strategic partnership is not being sufficiently leveraged, according to a report published Tuesday by the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

The document recommends that the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress support Romania’s transformation into a regional energy supplier, expand Bucharest’s military role in NATO, and deepen legal and diplomatic cooperation. The authors consider the Black Sea to be of major strategic importance because of its energy and digital infrastructure, while Romania can become a central hub for regional security.

The report highlights Bucharest’s pro-Western trajectory, the hosting of the missile defense system at Deveselu, the development of the base at Mihail Kogălniceanu, and the project for small modular reactors at Doicești. The U.S. is the largest non-EU investor in Romania, with investments of more than $9 billion and more than 120,000 jobs supported.

However, American greenfield investments are slowing due to frequent legislative changes, tax ordinances and instability within the governing coalition. The Heritage Foundation recommends reforming the justice system, strengthening the fight against corruption and increasing economic predictability.

In the energy sector, the report underscores the importance of American capital for the development of gas resources at Neptun Deep and calls for discussions on the Vertical Corridor to resume. In defense, the authors propose that Romania take over the British contribution to NATO forces in Poland and strengthen its role in regional security. Differences over the Visa Waiver Program and the high visa refusal rate also remain obstacles in bilateral relations.У,