America’s long-held position as the world’s leading military power could be facing a major test after President Trump issued a fresh warning that he may withdraw tens of thousands of US troops stationed at bases in allied nations.
Several countries that were once seen as some of Washington’s closest partners may soon be forced to rely far more heavily on their own militaries, after Trump criticized a number of longtime allies this week.
If his remarks translate into action, it could mean that for the first time in nearly eight decades, European partners such as Spain, Italy, and Germany might end up with no US forces based on their soil. At present, the three nations host roughly 53,000 American troops combined.
Trump’s threat would mark a dramatic shift away from the post-World War II security framework that helped underpin peace and stability in Europe after centuries of conflict. The pressure campaign comes after the three major European economies declined to support operations connected to the conflict with Iran, including refusing to permit US aircraft to cross their airspace during bombing missions.
The latest escalation follows Trump’s warning on Wednesday that Germany—home to the second-largest US troop presence overseas—could see a significant drawdown. Estimates put the number of American service members in Germany at around 40,000.
On Truth Social, the Commander-in-Chief wrote: “The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
US forces in Germany are spread across roughly 40 bases, installations that have long served as key hubs for American military reach, including operations that use Ramstein Air Base for refueling and broader support missions across multiple regions.
The American presence in Germany dates back to the end of World War II and carried through the Cold War as part of an effort to counter Soviet influence across Europe. In the modern era, those deployments are frequently framed as a deterrent against renewed Russian aggression.
Then on Thursday, Trump suggested Germany would not be the only ally facing a potential reduction. Asked about other NATO partners, he singled out Italy and Spain, saying: “I mean, they haven’t been exactly on board.”
He went further, indicating he’s strongly considering cutting troop levels in both countries and adding: “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely.”
While the idea of pulling troops from major European allies would represent a sharp turn from the approach that has supported US global influence for decades, it aligns with Trump’s repeated position across both terms that the United States should scale back expensive overseas commitments.
Such moves could also weaken NATO’s overall posture, as many European militaries lack the size and capabilities of the US forces positioned across the continent—an issue made more urgent by fighting on NATO’s eastern edge and fears of a broader return to instability in Europe.