President Donald Trump stated “probably” when asked if he would consider pulling U.S. troops out of Italy and Spain. This comment came a day after he revealed that the U.S. administration was evaluating a reduction of military personnel stationed in Germany.
Trump has been critical of NATO allies for not contributing to military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which have been disrupted due to ongoing conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. He has also suggested that he might consider withdrawing the United States from the NATO alliance if member countries fail to support U.S. initiatives.
An internal Pentagon email, reported recently, discussed various actions the U.S. might take against NATO allies that have not supported military operations, including the possibility of suspending Spain from the alliance.
In response to queries about troop withdrawals, Trump emphasized his dissatisfaction with both Italy and Spain, stating, “Look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.” He previously threatened a full trade embargo on Spain over its refusal to allow U.S. military access to bases for operations related to strikes on Iran.
As of December 2025, there were over 68,000 active-duty military personnel assigned to U.S. bases in Europe, with more than 36,400 stationed in Germany. The discussions around troop levels highlight ongoing tensions and the geopolitical complexities in the region.
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