US President Trump Considers Withdrawing Some Troops from Europe Amid NATO Tensions

WASHINGTON (Substrate) -- US President Donald Trump is considering the withdrawal of some US troops stationed in Europe, a US official told Reuters. The deliberations occur against a backdrop of tensions within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding member contributions to defense spending.

Approximately 35,000 US troops are currently deployed in Germany as part of NATO's European presence.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that the potential move aims to address perceived imbalances in NATO commitments. Trump has previously criticized several NATO allies for not meeting the alliance's 2% of GDP defense spending target. As of 2023, only 11 of 31 NATO members met this goal, according to alliance data.

was established in 1949 to provide collective defense among its members, primarily in response to Soviet influence during the Cold War.

The US has maintained a significant military footprint in Europe since World War II, with troop levels fluctuating based on geopolitical events. Recent strains have intensified under Trump's administration, which has emphasized fair burden-sharing among allies. The official noted that any troop reductions would likely target non-combat or rotational forces rather than permanent bases.

This approach could affect logistics and support units in countries like Germany and Italy. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has urged members to increase defense budgets in light of Russia's actions in Ukraine.

A partial withdrawal could signal a shift in US foreign policy priorities toward the Indo-Pacific region, where China represents a growing strategic concern.

Affected parties include European NATO members reliant on US forces for deterrence against potential threats. US military officials would need to assess operational impacts before any changes. No timeline for a decision has been provided, and the White House has not commented on the report.