Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain, escalating tensions with NATO allies. The threat came a day after the US president said he was considering reducing the number of American forces deployed in Germany.
Background of the Dispute
The US president’s warning to Germany followed remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who claimed that America was being “humiliated” by Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for failing to send their navies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital commercial shipping route.
Spain and Italy's Positions
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has opposed the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran from the outset. Italy, meanwhile, had maintained a balancing act until late March, when it refused to allow US planes carrying weapons for Iran to use an airbase in Sicily.
The White House has not issued an official statement regarding the potential troop withdrawal. However, Trump’s comments signal a deepening rift within the alliance, as European nations increasingly diverge from US foreign policy in the Middle East.
