Former US President Donald Trump indicated he might withdraw some US troops stationed in Italy and Spain, justifying the potential move by citing the two countries' opposition to a war with Iran. This hint came just a day after a similar suggestion regarding reducing US forces in Germany, reflecting a consistent approach in Trump's foreign policy of linking the US military presence to the positions of allied nations.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump, when asked about the possibility of reducing troops in Spain and Italy, affirmed, “Yes, most likely, most likely I will. Why not?” He then criticized the two countries, adding, “Italy didn’t give us any help, and Spain was scared, absolutely scared.”.
Background of tension with NATO allies
These remarks come within a broader context of tensions that have plagued the Trump administration's relationship with its European NATO allies. Since taking office, Trump has pursued an "America First" policy, questioning the value of traditional alliances and demanding that allies increase their defense spending to 2% of GDP, a target agreed upon within the alliance. Trump has repeatedly used the US military presence in Europe as leverage to pressure countries like Germany, which he has strongly criticized for failing to meet this target and for its reliance on Russian energy.
Division over the Iranian issue
The stance on Iran was a key point of contention between the United States and its European allies during the Trump administration. In 2018, Washington withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran, while European powers, including Italy and Spain, sought to preserve the agreement, arguing that it was the best way to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This divergence in approaches—diplomatic versus military—led to strained relations, with the Trump administration viewing the European position as undermining its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran.
The strategic importance of US bases and the impact of withdrawal
The U.S. military presence in Italy and Spain is of vital strategic importance to the United States and NATO. Italy hosts thousands of U.S. troops at critical bases such as Aviano Air Base and Sigonella Naval Air Base, key hubs for operations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and North Africa. Similarly, Spain’s Rota Naval Base is home to four U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis missile defense system, an integral part of NATO’s missile shield. Any significant reduction in these forces would not only strain bilateral relations but could also weaken the alliance’s ability to address security challenges on its southern flank and send a worrying message to both allies and adversaries about Washington’s commitment to European security.
