Trump Threatens to Remove US Troops from Spain and Italy Over Iran War Spat
Reflecto News | Breaking News | US-European Relations
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has widened his threat to reduce the U.S. military footprint in Europe, telling reporters on Thursday that he “probably will” consider pulling American troops out of Italy and Spain as well as Germany .
Asked directly whether he would extend potential troop reductions to include Italy and Spain, Trump responded: “Yeah, probably. Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely” .
The comments were the latest sign of fraying transatlantic relations as European allies refuse to fully back the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran . Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously warned that European nations “choose to be US allies only when convenient.”
The European Snub
Trump’s hostility toward several European NATO members is not new, but the current war in Iran—which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28—has pushed the relationship to a breaking point over the following areas .
Refusal to Assist in Iran
Several European nations, including France and Germany, have publicly refused to send naval forces to help the U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz or to assist in strikes on Iranian targets . Spain has reportedly gone further, barring the United States from using its airspace and two key military bases on its territory for operations supporting strikes on Iran .
Criticism of US Strategy
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set off a firestorm earlier this week when he publicly declared that the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran and lacked a coherent exit strategy for the war, a statement Trump has described as “nonsense” .
Trump’s Truth Social posts have escalated the spat dramatically. On Wednesday night, he wrote: “The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany,” and then on Thursday expanded the threat to Italy and Spain .
Why These Bases Matter to the US
The threatened pullout would affect some of the most strategically vital U.S. installations in the world .
In Germany
Germany hosts the largest contingent of U.S. forces in Europe—approximately 36,400 active-duty troops . The Ramstein Air Base is the headquarters of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and a critical hub for logistics and medical evacuation.
In Italy
With approximately 12,600 troops , Italy hosts Naval Air Station Sigonella (a key transit point for U.S. Navy operations in the Mediterranean and Africa) and Aviano Air Base (which houses nuclear-capable F-16 fighter squadrons).
In Spain
Approximately 3,800 troops are stationed at Naval Station Rota in southern Spain, home port for four U.S. Navy destroyers equipped with Aegis missile defense systems .
If Trump were to carry out his threats, the operational and political fallout would be even greater than the 2020 reduction in Germany. Rota is a vital logistics hub for the U.S. Navy, including ships conducting missions in the Middle East.
Congressional Roadblock and Potential for Disastrous Consequences
Trump may lack the unilateral authority to simply “order” troops out of Europe. U.S. defense law currently mandates a minimum of 76,000 troops stationed or deployed in Europe—a level implemented after Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea to deter Moscow .
If Trump tries to pull troops out of Germany, Italy, and Spain, he may face a “veto-proof majority” in Congress willing to block the move. German officials have expressed confidence that the U.S. Congress will intervene, as it did in 2020 when Trump attempted a similar reduction in troop levels .
However, Trump appears to be signaling he is willing to engage in a constitutional showdown to force what he calls “burden sharing” on European allies—or to retaliate against what he perceives as disloyalty. “The US has a long list of NATO ‘punishments’ for allies who didn’t join the war, and suspension of basing rights is at the top of the list,” one senior administration official told CNN .
Broader ‘Punishment’ Campaign
Trump’s troop threat fits into a broader pattern. Reuters reported on an internal Pentagon memo suggesting possible sanctions against NATO members that failed to support the U.S. in the Iran war, including suspending Spain’s NATO membership altogether—a threat that would shatter the Western alliance if implemented .
Spain has been a particular target of Trump’s ire. In March, President Trump threatened a full U.S. trade embargo on the European ally after Madrid refused to allow the U.S. military to use its bases to refuel aircraft conducting strikes on Iranian targets .
When asked why European nations—some of which are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and a devastating energy crisis—should risk a new war, the official replied, “The Strait of Hormuz is a global right of passage. They cannot hide behind ‘we are not part of the coalition’ while still enjoying the benefits of secure global shipping” .
The Merz-Trump War of Words
The visceral nature of Trump’s comments regarding European leaders has exacerbated the diplomatic rupture. The conflict between Trump and Merz has become highly personal, with each questioning the other’s competence and loyalty .
Earlier this week, Merz gave a speech in which he accused Washington of having “no convincing strategy” in the Middle East and warned that the U.S. was making the same mistake it made in the 2003 Iraq War .
Trump’s Truth Social response was scathing: “The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time fixing his broken Country, especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!” .
German officials have attempted to downplay the immediate threat of troop cuts, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Berlin noting that any reduction in U.S. troop levels in Germany would require a formal Status of Forces Agreement renegotiation, something Washington has not yet initiated . However, the rupture has already caused significant damage.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scope of Threatened Pullout | Germany (36,400 troops), Italy (12,600), Spain (3,800) |
| Justification | European nations refused to help with Iran war effort |
| Specific Complaints | Spain refused base access, Italy provided “no help,” Merz criticized US strategy |
| Congressional Barrier | US law mandates 76,000 troops in Europe; Trump may need congressional approval |
| Trump’s Response to Merz | “He has no idea what he’s talking about” |
| Wider ‘Punishment’ Options | Suspending Spain’s NATO membership, trade embargo |
| Key Bases at Risk | Ramstein (Germany), Sigonella (Italy), Rota (Spain) |
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