U.S. troop reduction in Europe pressures NATO allies to increase their defense

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

The Pentagon appears poised to reduce the number of American troops in Europe, in a further attempt to pressure NATO nations to take a more active role in their own defense.

The latest move comes as the Department of War announced it is reducing the number of Brigade Combat Teams, comprising of 4,000-5,000 troops, from four to three BCTs. The Pentagon says the reduction returns BCT levels in Europe to those in 2021, prior to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Pentagon indicated the move could result in a “temporary delay” in the deployment of U.S. forces to Poland, describing the Eastern European country as a “model” ally of the U.S.

Poland currently leads NATO nations in Europe in gross domestic product (GDP) spending on defense.

Last month, The Center Square asked President Donald Trump if he was considering pulling troops from Italy and Spain following an announced troop reduction from Germany, in part citing reluctance to support U.S. military activities in Iran.

“Yeah, probably will. Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely,” the president told The Center Square in response.

During a White House press briefing Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance told reporters that the U.S. should encourage European countries to take “a little bit more ownership over their continental integrity.”

The Pentagon echoed the vice president’s comments, saying that the U.S. is hoping the move will push the “incentivizing and enabling” of “NATO allies to take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth credited Poland for demonstrating its ability to defend its own border, hoping Poland would serve as an example for other NATO nations. There are currently about 10,000 American troops serving in Poland on a rotating basis.

Last month, the Pentagon announced it was reducing U.S. troops in Germany by 5,000 within the next year, with the possibility of further reductions.

Germany is currently home to more than 36,000 American troops, the largest population in Europe. In comparison, Italy is home to nearly 13,000 troops and Spain has nearly 4,000, according to USA Facts.

The president has been at odds with many European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, over the war in Iran. Since the strikes began Feb. 28, Trump has expressed deep frustration with NATO countries over their lack of support for the U.S. strikes on Iran, despite the U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

In addition to threatening to reduce or remove American troops from some European countries, the president has discussed a desire to pull out of NATO altogether.