The US Secretary of War, , increased the pressure on allies in , warning that they will review their military presence on the European continent and reduce their financial contribution to the Alliance budget if the Europeans do not keep their commitment to increase defense spending.
In a sharp speech, Hegseth announced that the Pentagon is launching a review lasting up to six months to “examine the disposition of American forces and military bases in Europe.”
The Pentagon recently announced reductions in its military presence in Europe and limiting its commitments to the Alliance’s defense plans in the event of war. The moves sparked a backlash in the US Congress, even from top Republican lawmakers, who complained they had not been briefed and vowed to oppose further cuts.
The allies’ defense spending is expected to be a key issue at NATO’s annual summit in Ankara next month.
Trump’s test and what is expected to happen
“Let there be no doubt: this will be a substantial review,” Hegseth said at the start of the two-day meeting of the Alliance’s defense ministers. “The aim is to ensure that NATO moves quickly and irreversibly towards a model where Europe takes primary responsibility for its defence.”
Hegseth stressed that if the allies do not move decisively towards the new target of defense spending equal to 5% of their GDP — a target agreed at the NATO summit last summer — the US will reduce its financial contribution to the organization.
Today, the US covers 14.9% of NATO’s annual budget, which is about $5.75 billion. This percentage has already decreased in recent years from the 22% it was a decade ago, following American pressure.
“From now on, our annual contributions to NATO will depend on whether other countries meet their defense spending targets,” he said. “Where allies do not move with the required speed, our contribution will be diminished. NATO must work both ways.”
The US Secretary of War added that the administration will also press allies to ensure US forces have access to bases across the Alliance and the ability to transit through allied territories when the US conducts military operations in other parts of the world.
“Trump has given our allies a test: to stand by America when he asks for their help,” Hegseth said. “And many failed.”
As he noted, while the UK provided an air base for US bombers in the war with Iran, Spain banned the use of its facilities for the US military campaign against Tehran. The Trump administration, however, had not consulted with European countries before the strikes against Iran.
Reactions in Congress
Hegseth’s stance is expected to be met with opposition from members of the US Congress, including Republicans who have traditionally supported NATO. They had strongly criticized the Trump administration’s decision in May to cancel the deployment of an armored brigade to Poland, arguing that the Russian military threat to Europe had not diminished.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have also tried to prevent further cuts by including provisions in the 2027 defense budget that would make it harder to reduce troops or remove American stockpiles of weapons and ammunition from Europe.
One of the key points of concern in Congress is the Trump administration’s decision to significantly reduce air and naval forces intended for Europe in the event of a crisis.
Many military analysts have argued for years that the US should shift more military resources to the Pacific, leaving European countries to fill the gap in European defense. However, the Pentagon cuts are expected to be implemented immediately, with no transition period.
“The question yesterday was whether this will be done immediately or not. The answer is: immediately,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
