President Donald Trump said Thursday he is considering pulling U.S. troops from Italy and Spain [1, 2].
The potential withdrawal signals a shift in U.S. military presence in Europe and suggests a tightening of requirements for allies to provide more direct support in global conflicts.
Trump linked the decision to a lack of cooperation from the two Mediterranean nations. He said he specifically cited their roles during the Iran war and broader issues regarding NATO support [1, 2].
"Italy has not been of any help to us, and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible," Trump said [1].
The president's comments follow similar rhetoric regarding U.S. involvement in other European security matters. He said the U.S. had shouldered too much of the burden in Eastern Europe, stating that the U.S. provided support for Ukraine when it should have been Europe’s problem [1].
This approach emphasizes a transactional view of military alliances, where troop presence is contingent upon the perceived contribution of the host nation. The administration has previously questioned the value of NATO memberships for countries that do not meet specific spending, or operational benchmarks [1, 2].
While no specific timeline for the troop reduction was provided, the comments suggest a willingness to decouple U.S. security guarantees from traditional diplomatic agreements if allies are deemed unhelpful [1, 2].
“"Italy has not been of any help to us, and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible."”
This move indicates a potential pivot toward a more isolationist or transactional foreign policy. By threatening the removal of troops from Italy and Spain, the administration is using military presence as leverage to compel European allies to increase their defense spending and take a more active role in conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions with Iran, reducing the strategic and financial burden on the U.S.
