Trump Threatens to Pull US Troops from Italy and Spain Following NATO Spat

President Donald Trump is doubling down on his confrontational stance toward NATO allies, threatening to pull U.S. troops out of Italy and Spain after already targeting Germany for troop reductions. When asked if he would consider removing American forces from Italy and Spain, Trump responded with a blunt “Probably,” citing their lack of support in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

This move follows Trump's harsh criticism of NATO countries for failing to contribute naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed amid a U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran that began in late February. Trump has openly questioned the value of the alliance, even suggesting the United States might withdraw entirely.

An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters, revealed that officials are exploring punitive options against NATO members perceived as unsupportive, including the possibility of suspending Spain from the alliance. This underscores the administration’s readiness to weaponize military deployments as leverage against allies.

Trump’s recent threats are not just rhetorical. Last month, he warned of a full trade embargo on Spain after the country refused to allow U.S. military use of its bases for missions related to strikes on Iran. These threats risk undermining long-standing military partnerships that have anchored U.S. presence and influence in Europe for decades.

Currently, the U.S. maintains over 68,000 active-duty troops permanently stationed across Europe, with more than half based in Germany. The announced cuts to forces in Germany, combined with potential withdrawals from Italy and Spain, signal a significant reshaping of America’s military footprint on the continent.

This pattern of unilateral decisions and public threats reflects a broader Trump administration tactic: bypassing diplomatic consensus and congressional oversight to assert executive authority, often at the expense of longstanding alliances and democratic norms. The consequences could weaken NATO’s cohesion and embolden adversaries, jeopardizing European security and U.S. strategic interests.

As Trump continues to treat alliances as transactional and threatens to punish allies for perceived slights, the risks to global stability and democratic cooperation are mounting. Americans and their partners abroad should watch closely as these reckless gambits unfold.