He has said in recent days that he is considering withdrawing US troops from Germany, Italy and Spain amid rising tensions with European nations over their criticism of his handling of the war with Iran. But can he carry out his threats? What is the presence of US troops in Europe, what would their withdrawal mean and how did we get to this point?
How did we get to Trump’s threats?
Last week, he said the US was “humiliated” by Iran in its ongoing war, adding that the Trump administration had “no really convincing strategy” to end the conflict.
Indeed, , stating that: “It costs us a lot of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.”
Then followed a new post by Donald Trump on Truth Social: “The United States is studying and reconsidering the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a decision to be made in the next short period of time.” A little later, in his statements to journalists, he pointed out that he is thinking of withdrawing American troops from other European countries, such as Spain and Italy, as they have not helped the USA in the war in the Middle East.
Reuters reported, citing an unnamed senior White House official, that Trump had discussed with his advisers whether to withdraw some US troops from Europe.
It is worth noting that Germany, Italy and Spain host a total of almost 53,000 American soldiers. However, how easy, in reality, is it to withdraw American troops from the Old Continent?
How many troops does the US have in Europe?
As of December 2025, the United States maintained approximately 68,064 active-duty military personnel in Europe, according to data from the Pentagon’s Defense Data Center (DMDC).
Where are the US troops?
All over Europe. The United States European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for directing US military operations in Europe, in coordination with NATO allies. This command includes six main branches: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, Special Operations Forces, and the newer Space Force.
Distribution by country:
- Germany: The largest US military presence in Europe is at Ramstein Air Base, where US forces have been stationed since 1952. According to the DMDC, as of December 2025 there were 36,436 active-duty military personnel, spread across five garrisons.
- United Kingdom: There were 10,156 US military personnel serving in the United Kingdom, stationed at three bases, with the main presence of Air Force personnel.
- Italy: The US has maintained a military presence in Italy since the end of World War II. In 2025, 12,662 soldiers were stationed at bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples and Sicily, drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Spain: In Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, there are Navy and Air Force bases. There were 3,814 military personnel serving there in December 2025.
- Poland: In Poland there were 369 permanently stationed military personnel, as well as approximately 10,000 on rotational deployment. The latter are financed through the European Deterrence Initiative, which aims to strengthen NATO’s eastern wing. These forces are divided into four bases.
- Romania: Romania hosts 153 permanently stationed US military personnel, as well as rotating forces. The main facilities include Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Turzii Camp and Deveselu.
- Hungary: In Hungary, the US maintains a smaller presence with 77 permanently stationed military personnel at two bases (Kecskemet and Papa Air), while rotating missions and exercises also take place.
Who decides on US troops in Europe?
The number of US troops in Europe is determined primarily by the US president and the US Department of Defense. However, an important role is also played by the US Congress, which can block or make large withdrawals difficult through legislation and funding controls.
A case in point is in 2020, when Donald Trump, in his first term, threatened to withdraw some 12,000 troops from Germany, criticizing Berlin for low defense spending and its support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Congress fought back, and Joe Biden later reversed the decision.
In addition, the in Europe under 75,000.
Why is Trump threatening to withdraw troops?
Trump’s recent threats are linked to tensions surrounding the Iran war. The war between the US and Israel against Iran began on February 28 and is still ongoing. The Strait of Hormuz has been severely affected by Iranian restrictions and the US blockade, causing shipping disruptions and a blow to the global economy.
Trump has sharply criticized European leaders for a lack of support. Specifically:
- He has attacked Keir Starmer, accusing him of not helping the US and not helping to open the Strait of Hormuz. A few days after the start of the war, and after the United Kingdom initially denied the use of its bases for attacks, he stated that he was “not Winston Churchill either”.
- He also criticized Georgia Meloni for her attitude towards the war.
At the same time, tensions in transatlantic relations had already been caused by:
- US tariffs,
- Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland,
- and reducing US aid to Ukraine.
Who do US bases serve?
The US military presence in Europe began after World War II. During the Cold War, its role shifted to strengthening European defense against the Soviet Union.
Today, bases serve a dual purpose. On the one hand, they contribute to the security of Europe, and on the other hand, they advance the broader US military and foreign objectives worldwide. In addition, they are critical logistics hubs and have been used for operations in the Middle East, such as in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.
The countries that host these bases usually provide land rent-free and cover local staff salaries. Thus, they bear part of the cost of hosting American forces.
It is worth noting that , is the largest US hospital outside the US and is a key evacuation and treatment center for US soldiers operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For this reason, and in a sense, it is the most important infrastructure outside the United States located in Europe.
Is it easy for Trump to withdraw US troops from Europe?
Under these circumstances, it is not easy for Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from Europe. Although the president and the US Department of Defense have a decisive role in the military presence, there are significant obstacles.
On the one hand, the United States Congress can block or delay such decisions through laws and funding controls. This has already happened in the past, when in 2020 he blocked a plan to withdraw troops from Germany. On the other hand, there is a legal restriction. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 (NDAA) prohibits the permanent reduction of US forces in Europe below 75,000. This means that large reductions cannot be made easily without political and institutional conflict.
Finally, and perhaps the most important factor in this decision, American bases in Europe are of critical strategic importance. They not only serve the security of Europe, but are key hubs for US operations in the Middle East, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. That is, it concerns infrastructure such as the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. In fact, this would have serious implications for the United States and its military operations. It would be a blow to the country itself.
So, although Donald Trump may consider or propose troop withdrawal, in practice it is a complex and politically difficult process, with institutional, legal and strategic obstacles.
