Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump told The Center Square's Sarah Roderick-Fitch that he was "probably" considering the removal of U.S. military troops from the two countries. "Why shouldn't I?" Trump asked, characterizing Italy as unhelpful and Spain as "absolutely horrible." The remarks mark an escalation in Trump's criticism of European allies over military commitments and support in regional conflicts.
Trump's comments about Italy and Spain come one day after he suggested reducing the number of U.S. forces stationed in Germany, citing disputes over NATO spending and the conflict in Iran. "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," Trump wrote on social media.
The president drew a contrast between American support for European nations and their response when the U.S. needed assistance. "The United States is an ocean away" from the Ukraine conflict yet provided aid, Trump said. "But when we needed them, they were not there. We have to remember that." He also criticized NATO generally in his remarks about the two countries.
Trump said he specifically requested help from Spanish and Italian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, but both nations declined. He emphasized that the U.S. does not rely on the passage. "The amazing thing is, they use the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said. "We don't use it. We don't need it."
According to the U.S. Defense Manpower Data Center, more than 68,000 active-duty military personnel are assigned permanently to military bases in Europe. About 36,400 are based in Germany. Trump separately criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying he was "doing a terrible job" and faces problems with immigration, energy, and Ukraine.
On the broader question of Iran, Trump reiterated his goal of preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons. "If you agree they can't have a nuclear weapon, then what I did has been executed perfectly, because our military has decimated them," Trump said.
