On May 9 (US time), Bloomberg reported that NATO allies in Europe are preparing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump will continue to withdraw more troops from the continent, after he announced plans to send 5,000 US troops out of Germany.
According to sources, some senior NATO diplomats predict that the next cuts may involve US forces in Italy. Washington may also cancel former President Joe Biden's plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany.
NATO allies also consider the scenario of the US reducing its participation in some exercises, or transferring forces from countries that Mr. Trump is not satisfied with to countries considered to be more cooperative with Washington. This idea was once considered by President Trump in his first term, when he wanted to increase his military presence in Poland.
The Pentagon has not yet commented. However, in a phone call with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on May 9, Mr. Trump said the US "is still considering" the possibility of withdrawing troops from bases in Italy. He did not comment on the transfer of forces from Germany.
Tensions between Washington and some NATO allies have increased after Italy refused to allow the US to use an airbase to serve an operation related to Iran. Roma said that current agreements do not allow the deployment of combat operations unless discussed by parliament.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that if one of the reasons the US maintains forces in NATO is the ability to deploy troops from Europe to other regions, but some members no longer allow it, then this issue needs to be considered. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani affirmed that the US presence in Europe is still important to Rome.
Currently, the US has about 85,000 troops stationed in Europe. These bases help Washington quickly deploy forces to the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, while increasing deterrence capabilities in Eastern Europe against Russia.
Some allies may support the US moving forces to the east, especially when Poland wants to increase its US military presence. However, experts warn that hasty troop withdrawals could create security vacuums and send unfavorable signals to Moscow.
