Trump aims to cut US force in Europe by 20,000, compel subsidies from allies, Italian report says

Last edited Sat Jan 25, 2025, 03:27 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-01-24/trump-europe-troop-cuts-16590074.html

President Donald Trump wants to withdraw 20,000 U.S. troops from Europe and demand a subsidy from allies to pay for the remaining American military presence on the Continent, Italy’s leading news agency reported this week.

On Thursday, ANSA said Trump has been delivering his troop-cut message to European leaders since taking office Monday. Trump “would like financial contributions from European countries because these soldiers are a deterrent, and the costs cannot be borne solely by American taxpayers,” a European diplomat told the news service.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond Friday to questions about the report.

Trump has long advocated for a smaller force in Europe, especially in Germany. At the end of his first term, he ordered 12,000 troops out of Germany, with some to be relocated to other areas in Europe and others back to the U.S.

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Putin approves