US President Donald Trump has stated that his administration is considering a significant reduction in the number of American troops stationed in Spain and Italy.
Speaking to journalists, Trump noted that the United States no longer intends to bear a disproportionate share of the costs of maintaining military bases in Europe, particularly given that, in his view, many European countries are not investing enough in their own defense.
“We are spending enormous amounts of money on bases in Spain and Italy, while the Europeans are paying little or nothing at all. This is unfair to American taxpayers. We are very seriously considering a substantial reduction of our military presence in these countries,” Trump said.
According to Pentagon data, approximately 12,000–13,000 American service members are currently stationed in Italy, and around 3,000–4,000 in Spain. These forces are involved in supporting NATO operations, counterterrorism missions, and logistics in the Mediterranean region.
Trump’s statement has raised concern among European allies. The Italian government has already noted that a potential withdrawal or reduction of the American contingent could negatively impact the overall security of NATO’s southern flank. Madrid has so far refrained from making any official comment.
A Pentagon spokesperson stated that no final decisions have been made, and that any potential changes will be discussed in consultation with NATO allies.