After Germany, Italy and Spain could be affected, while Washington would also consider revising its participation in NATO exercises. European partners of the United States within NATO expect Donald Trump to continue reducing American military presence in Europe, Bloomberg reports. This concern intensified after the announced decision to withdraw 5,000 American troops stationed in Germany. According to several Atlantic Alliance diplomats cited by the media, other reductions could follow in coming months. Discussions notably concern a possible withdrawal of certain units present in Italy. Moreover, Washington might abandon the project for deploying American long-range missiles in Germany, a program validated under Joe Biden’s presidency. Within NATO, some officials also believe the United States could limit participation in several military exercises organized in Europe.
Furthermore, redistribution of American forces toward countries deemed more favorable to Donald Trump’s policy is under consideration. Bloomberg notes this scenario would recall debates from his first term, when he studied strengthening the American contingent in Poland. Interviewed diplomats explained these predictions rest on both the American president’s public statements and exchanges between American officials and Alliance representatives concerning the future of relations between Washington and NATO.
Trump Blames Europeans for Lack of Support During Conflict with Iran
On May 9, in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Donald Trump affirmed that the question of withdrawing American troops stationed in Italy remains under study. Early May, the American president had already indicated that reducing the contingent present in Germany would be far larger than merely withdrawing 5,000 soldiers. The operation could last between six months and a year. According to the Pentagon, more than 36,000 American troops were still deployed in Germany in December 2025, plus approximately 1,500 reservists and 11,500 civilian employees.
Pentagon officials, interviewed by CBS News, indicated this reorganization relates to Donald Trump’s dissatisfaction with the level of support provided by certain European allies during the conflict with Iran. The American president also evoked the possibility of reducing American military presence in Italy and Spain. Both countries refused to make certain military bases available to American aircraft engaged in the war against Iran. Italy had not authorized American bomber landings in Sicily, while Spain closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in strikes against Iran on March 30.
The White House tenant also criticized Madrid for refusing to increase military expenditures to 5% of GDP and for lack of investment in NATO. Today, approximately 15,400 American troops are stationed in Italy, including 12,700 regular army soldiers. In Spain, numbers reach 4,330 troops, among whom 3,800 belong to regular forces. In total, nearly 85,000 American troops remain deployed on European territory.