President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from Spain and Italy, criticizing NATO allies for failing to send their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, when asked whether he would consider pulling U.S. forces out of Italy and Spain, Trump replied, "Probably," a day after announcing that Washington was examining reductions in the number of military personnel stationed in Germany. He has also indicated that he is contemplating a full withdrawal of the United States from NATO.
Pentagon Options to Punish Allies
An internal Pentagon email, reported last week, outlined potential measures for the United States to penalize NATO allies perceived as having failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran. These options included suspending Spain from the alliance. Trump, who earlier this month discussed the possibility of removing some U.S. troops from Europe, stated on Wednesday that his administration was considering cuts to U.S. forces in Germany, with a decision expected soon. He has lashed out at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his criticism of the Iran war, calling him "totally ineffective," and threatened to reduce the 36,400 U.S. troops based in Germany.
Criticism of Spain and Italy
When asked on Thursday if he would also consider pulling U.S. troops out of Italy and Spain—two countries that have been critical of the Iran war—Trump said, "Probably ... Look, why shouldn't I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible." Last month, Trump threatened to impose a full U.S. trade embargo on Spain after the European ally refused to allow the U.S. military to use its bases for missions related to strikes on Iran.
US Military Presence in Europe
As of December 2025, the United States had just over 68,000 active-duty military personnel permanently assigned to overseas bases in Europe, according to data from the U.S. Defense Manpower Data Center. More than half—approximately 36,400—are based in Germany.
Strained Relations with Europe
This news represents the latest development in a rocky relationship between America and Europe. Trump has previously targeted British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in strikingly personal terms, stating that he is "not Winston Churchill," and threatening to impose a "big tariff" on imports from the United Kingdom. More concerning for Europe, Trump's Defense Department has floated the idea of punishing NATO allies believed to be insufficiently supportive of U.S. operations in the Iran war, including suspending Spain's membership and reviewing U.S. recognition of the Falkland Islands as a British possession.
"It's unnerving to say the least," one European diplomat told Reuters this week. "We are braced for anything, anytime." A second European diplomat noted that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had a rocky relationship with Trump during his first term, had modeled the correct approach. "We've all learned a bit how to handle Trump by now. You must not react immediately, you must let the storm pass, while standing firmly on your positions," the diplomat said. Even those who attempted flattery have faced Trump's ire, the diplomat added. "All those who tried that got their volley of insults, like the others. So everybody realizes now that flattery doesn't work either."
