President of the United States of America (USA) Donald Trump today said “probably” when asked if he would consider withdrawing American troops from Italy and Spain, a day after he announced that Washington was considering reducing the number of military personnel in Germany, reports Reuters.
Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to global shipping since the start of the US-Israeli air war against Iran on February 28. He also said he was considering withdrawing the US from the alliance.
An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters last week, outlined options for the US to punish NATO allies it deems have failed to support US operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance.
Trump, who discussed the possibility of withdrawing some US troops from Europe earlier this month, said on Wednesday that his administration is considering reducing US forces in Germany and that a decision will be made soon.
Asked today if he would also consider withdrawing US troops from Italy and Spain, two countries that have also criticized the war with Iran, Trump said: “Probably… Look, why wouldn’t I? Italy was no help to us and Spain was terrible, absolutely terrible.”
Trump last month threatened to impose a full US trade embargo on Spain after the European ally refused to allow the US military to use its bases for missions linked to attacks on Iran.
The U.S. had just over 68,000 active-duty military personnel permanently stationed at overseas bases in Europe in December 2025, according to the Defense Department’s U.S. Manpower Data Center. More than half – about 36,400 – are in Germany.
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