Donald Trump has threatened to pull US troops out of more European countries in a fresh blow to NATO, following a similar threat to withdraw from Germany. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that the US was reviewing possible troop reductions in Germany, with a determination to be made soon. He also lashed out at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, telling him to focus on ending the war with Russia and Ukraine and fixing his broken country rather than concerning himself with Iran.
Trump's Comments on Italy and Spain
When asked whether he would consider withdrawing troops from Italy and Spain in retaliation for their reluctance to engage in the Iran war, Trump replied, "Yeah, probably. Why shouldn't I? Italy has not been of any help to us, and Spain has been horrible." This statement has alarmed NATO allies, who have braced for a US troop withdrawal since Trump took office, with Washington warning that Europe must handle its own security and that of Ukraine in the future.
Current US Troop Presence in Europe
Depending on operations, exercises, and troop rotations, around 80,000 to 100,000 US personnel are usually stationed in Europe. NATO allies have anticipated that US troops deployed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 would be the first to leave. Germany hosts several key US military facilities, including the headquarters of European and Africa commands, Ramstein Air Base, and a medical center in Landstuhl. US nuclear missiles are also stationed in the country.
Expert Analysis on Potential Withdrawal
Ed Arnold, an expert in European security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, noted that the US gains significant benefits from its presence in Germany, such as logistics and support for Middle East combat operations, making a full withdrawal unlikely. Nico Lange from the Center of European Policy Analysis added that approximately 36,000 US soldiers in Germany primarily serve US interests, including projecting American power globally, rather than solely defending Germany. Lange emphasized that the US has invested substantial funds in high-quality infrastructure in Germany that cannot be moved overnight, and relocating troops would cost Washington heavily, requiring approval from the US Congress.
Historical Context
In 2020, Trump announced plans to withdraw 11,900 US troops from Germany, but the move was not fully executed partly because Congress did not provide the necessary funds and a withdrawal would have required enormous investments elsewhere. This history suggests that any new withdrawal threats may face similar obstacles.
