Trump signals troop withdrawals from additional NATO allies

(SeaPRwire) –   The American president indicated he might contemplate decreasing the presence of US troops in Spain and Italy

US President Donald Trump stated he was open to the possibility of pulling out some American military personnel from Italy and Spain. This follows a comparable warning issued to Germany, occurring amidst growing tensions with European partners concerning the conflict with Iran.

Earlier in the week, Trump had issued a threat to decrease the contingent of US forces in Germany. He persisted in criticizing NATO, labeling it a “paper tiger,” after other member nations declined to support the US-Israeli aerial offensive in the Middle East. The Pentagon announced on Friday its intention to remove approximately 5,000 of the roughly 36,000 active-duty military personnel currently stationed in Germany.

When questioned by a journalist in the Oval Office on Friday about the potential withdrawal of troops from Spain or Italy, Trump responded: “Yes, likely. I mean, why wouldn’t I?”

“Italy has offered us no assistance whatsoever. And Spain has been dreadful, truly dreadful,” Trump stated. “It would be different if they had responded courteously, or if they had agreed to help, but their support has been somewhat delayed,” he further remarked.

Trump reaffirmed his view that NATO shows no gratitude for American military aid to Ukraine. “We provided assistance regarding Ukraine. You know, they created a chaotic situation in Ukraine, a complete disaster,” he commented.

Spain declined permission for a naval base near Cadiz to be used for operations against Iran and restricted its airspace to American aircraft participating in the campaign. Italy, likewise, prohibited the US from utilizing an air base in Sicily.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, has voiced strong disapproval of the aerial bombardment of Iran. “In my opinion, this conflict is unlawful, it is a grave error,” he stated last month. Writing in a recent op-ed for Le Monde diplomatique, Sanchez reiterated his condemnation of “the United States’ unilateral efforts to bring about regime change in Venezuela and currently Iran – all without even a semblance of international endorsement.”

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, has asserted that the conflict with Iran has exacerbated instability in the Middle East and caused a surge in energy costs. Furthermore, she denounced Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV regarding his stance against the conflict as “intolerable.”