Donald Trump pulling US troops from Europe in blast to NATO allies: report

President Donald Trump plans to pull around 20,000 US troops from Europe, according to a leading Italian news agency.

A European diplomatic source told ANSA that Trump, who took office on Monday for a second term, wants to reduce the US contingent in Europe by around 20% and plans to ask for a “financial contribution” to maintain the remaining troops.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

Why it matters

The news is likely to worry Washington's NATO allies in Europe at a time when Russia's relations with the West are at their lowest point since the Cold War. Russian officials have repeatedly insinuated that Moscow could orchestrate attacks against members of the NATO military alliance, in response to their support for Ukraine throughout the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol January 20, 2025, in Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol January 20, 2025, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images What to know

Some 100,000 American troops are currently deployed in Europe. The diplomatic source said Trump wanted other NATO member states to pay because U.S. troops there are a “deterrent,” so the costs incurred should not “be borne solely by U.S. taxpayers.”

Trump has long advocated for members of the military alliance to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product – up from a 2% target set in 2014 that the majority of member states, including the United States, still not coming together.

“I think NATO should have 5%,” he said Jan. 7 of a NATO defense spending target. “They can all afford it, but they should be at 5%, not 2%.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is one of the few allies who welcomes an increase in the defense spending contribution target. He said Wednesday that NATO members in Europe should welcome Trump's renewed call to spend more on defense, saying Russia poses an existential threat to security in the EU.

“We should not be irritated. We should not be dismayed,” Tusk told lawmakers in the European Parliament, Reuters reported. “Some people think it’s extravagant or it’s a blunt or malicious warning.

“Only an ally can wish another ally to become stronger. That is not what an adversary of Europe would say. I would like to tell you that this is a moment when Europe cannot afford to 'save on security.'

What people say

The European diplomatic source told ANSA: “In addition, for those who remain, he would like a financial contribution from European countries because these soldiers are a deterrent, and the costs can only be borne by American taxpayers.”

Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, former Spanish NATO ambassador, told ABC News on Thursday: “The truth is that defense spending is not popular in European countries, whether it is Spain or any other European country We became accustomed after the Second World War to delegating Our ultimate defense to the United States of America through its military umbrella, and in particular its nuclear umbrella.

Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said Thursday at a Newsweek defense conference, “Here in Europe, President Trump saying that, 2% should be 5% – it will be more than 2%, that's my expectation for the future.

“But we also need to study what we get with that 2%, how effectively it is used, because the statistics are quite bad, in a way that if you compare the amount of armament in Europe in the 90s when the cold war ended, and the current situation – you see that there is a huge collapse in the numbers of tanks, fighters, whatever – cygration – even though money was used.

“Meanwhile, there are a lot of questions about the role of the United States with President Trump. I don't believe we should fear that NATO will disappear one way or another, but we must be ready to understand that at some point it is possible that… The United States will reduce its presence in Europe.

What happens next?

NATO is expected to agree to a higher defense spending target at a June summit in The Hague.

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