President Donald Trump said he is considering reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in Italy and Spain amid growing tensions over their stance on the Iran conflict. His comments came a day after he suggested a similar review of American forces in Germany.
“Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn’t I?” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked whether troop levels in Italy and Spain could also be cut. He added
Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.
On Wednesday, April 29th Trump said Washington was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction” of U.S. troops in Germany, noting that a decision could come in a “short period of time.”
According to statistics from the end of 2025, there were 12,662 active-duty U.S. troops in Italy, 3,814 in Spain, and 36,436 in Germany.
The U.S. president has sharply criticised NATO allies for the insufficient support for U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, as well as for failing to ensure the security of key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also targeted European leaders personally, telling Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lacks “courage” on Iran.
