President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain in April 2026 [1, 2].
The move signals a potential breakdown in transatlantic security cooperation at a time of heightened tension regarding Iranian operations. If realized, the withdrawal would significantly alter the U.S. military footprint in Europe and challenge the stability of the NATO alliance.
Trump criticized NATO partners for their lack of support during U.S.-led operations against Iran [1, 3]. He said the allies were "absolutely horrible" [1]. The president said that the U.S. would proceed with its objectives regardless of the level of international cooperation.
"We will stand alone against Iran," Trump said [1].
Reports vary on which specific nations are targeted for troop withdrawals. Some reports state that Germany, Italy, and Spain are all included in the threat [1, 3]. Other reports specify that the president mentioned Italy and Spain without explicitly naming Germany [2]. When asked if he might pull troops out of Italy and Spain, Trump said, "Probably" [2].
This tension follows a history of shifting troop levels in Europe. For context, a historical withdrawal in 2012 involved roughly 8,000 troops [4].
The current dispute centers on the perceived failure of European allies to provide the necessary support for U.S. strategic goals in the Middle East. The administration has suggested that the lack of solidarity from these partners makes their continued hosting of U.S. forces untenable, a stance that contradicts the traditional mutual defense spirit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“"They are absolutely horrible."”
The threat to withdraw troops from key European bases suggests a pivot toward unilateralism in U.S. foreign policy. By linking NATO basing to support for conflicts outside the alliance's primary geographic scope—such as the Iran conflict—the administration is redefining the expectations of the 'burden-sharing' debate. This creates a precarious security vacuum in Europe that could potentially embolden adversaries if the U.S. reduces its conventional deterrence on the continent.
