The president of the United States, Donald Trumphe has proposed reduce the US military presence in Europe by 20%equivalent to some 20,000 soldiers. This decision is part of a Strategic review of Washington’s commitment to the defense of the old continentas revealed European diplomatic sources.
Trump, known for his criticisms of multilateral agreements and shared military spending, is also demanding that European countries assume a greater financial contribution to keep the approximately 80,000 soldiers that would remain In the region. “These soldiers are a deterrent and Costs cannot only fall on US taxpayers“The official points out.
Increase defense spending: how much is enough?
The US president has constantly insisted on the need for European allies to increase their defense spendingan issue that has been at the center of meetings with leaders on the continent. The issue now is to determine how much that expense should increase.
Diplomatic sources consider that An increase of 5% in European defense budgets is unlikely, given the economic situation of many countries of the block. Negotiations around this figure will be crucial to define the future of US military presence in Europe.
Commercial and war tensions
Another central axis of discussions is the war between Russia and Ukraine. The source assures that Trump has ruled out a unilateral withdrawal from US support to Ukrainesince this decision could be seen as un “sundal Kulbu”, in reference to the chaotic withdrawal of Afghanistan troops. “Trump does not want a scenario like this to be associated with his name”explains the diplomat.
However, the US president has emphasized whatAnd the financial burden of the conflict must fall mainly in Europe, qualifying the situation as a “European problem”. This approach raises new challenges for transatlantic coordination in the midst of a conflict that continues to climb.
Finally, the Trump’s intention of arguing that the community bloc has unfairly treated the United States, could also tighten relations between Europe and the US.
“It’s not just China. China is an abuser, but the European Union is very, very bad with us”said the US president announcing his idea, noting that the commercial deficit with Europe reaches 350,000 million dollars. Trump criticized that European countries “do not accept our cars or agricultural products”. “They treat us very, very unfairly, so they will be in tariffs,” he said.
