The US state department has toned down its criticism of human rights abuses while highlighting “credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression” among allies such as the UK and Germany in an annual report.

The dramatically pared back report, which covers nearly 200 countries and territories, offered a muted critique of countries close to the Trump administration and made no reference to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marking a realignment of Washington’s foreign policy priorities under President Donald Trump.

Unlike in previous years, there was no preface by the secretary of state. Instead, an appendix explained how the report, which covers the 2024 calendar year, had been “adjusted” in March and “streamlined” to be “more aligned to the administration’s executive orders”.