U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that President Donald Trump has not decided on a further withdrawal of U.S. troops from Europe [1].
The statement comes amid heightening tensions regarding the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the stability of the U.S. security umbrella in Europe. As the U.S. evaluates its overseas commitments, the prospect of reduced troop levels has created uncertainty among European partners regarding their own defense capabilities.
Rubio said during meetings in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani [1, 3]. The discussions focused on U.S.-Italian-EU relations, the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and the impact of U.S. tariffs [3].
Regarding the military presence in Europe, Rubio addressed concerns about a planned withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany [2]. He said, "Trump has not decided on withdrawal" [1].
While addressing the broader health of the alliance, Rubio cautioned that the effectiveness of the partnership is contingent on mutual reliability. He said, "Not being able to count on Allies is a problem" [1].
The diplomatic visit also touched upon the volatile situation in the Middle East. Rubio said that the administration continues to monitor the region, saying, "We will see developments in negotiations with Iran" [1].
These meetings occur as the Trump administration continues to pressure NATO members to increase their defense spending, a recurring theme in the president's approach to international security. The dialogue in Rome serves as a key touchpoint for coordinating policy between Washington and the European Union on trade and security [3].
“"Trump has not decided on withdrawal"”
Rubio's comments signal a dual-track strategy by the Trump administration: maintaining a level of strategic ambiguity regarding troop levels to gain leverage in negotiations, while simultaneously reminding European allies that US support is not unconditional. By linking NATO's viability to the reliability of its members, the US is framing troop presence as a reward for alliance cohesion rather than a permanent guarantee.
