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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is considering pulling American troops from Italy and Spain, citing both countries' opposition to US-led military operations against Iran, extending a pressure campaign that began a day earlier with similar threats directed at Germany.
"Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, confirming he would likely reduce troop numbers in both countries. "Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn't I?"
As of December 31, 2025, approximately 12,662 active-duty American troops were stationed in Italy and 3,814 in Spain. Germany, where Trump announced Wednesday that Washington was "studying and reviewing the possible reduction" of US forces, hosts a significantly larger contingent of 36,436 troops. Trump said a decision on Germany would come in "a short period of time."
The threats follow sustained criticism by Trump of NATO allies for failing to support the US-Israeli operation against Iran or assist in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for oil tanker traffic, a strategically vital waterway through which a significant portion of global energy supplies pass.
Trump's frustration with Rome has been unusually pointed. Earlier this month, he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lacks "courage" on Iran, a striking broadside against a leader he had previously regarded as a right-wing ally.
Spain has faced even sharper pressure: last week, reports emerged that the United States was exploring whether to suspend Madrid from NATO over its refusal to back military action against Iran. Trump has also repeatedly criticized Spain for failing to meet defense spending targets.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly pressed NATO members to increase defense contributions and align more closely with American foreign policy objectives, particularly in the Middle East.
Italy and Spain are both long-standing NATO members with deep basing agreements that have underpinned US force projection in southern Europe and across the Mediterranean for decades.
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