The US president could also demand that the EU pay for the remaining American personnel, ANSA news agency has reported
Soldiers prepare a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker plane for take-off at Spangdahlem Airbase in Germany. © Getty Images / Boris Roessler US President Donald Trump is considering reducing the size of the American military contingent in Europe by 20% as part of his review of Washington’s commitment to protecting the continent, Italian news agency ANSA has reported, citing EU diplomatic sources. If the pullout occurs, the number of US service personnel in Europe will decrease from around 100,000 to 80,000, the agency reported on Wednesday. Trump has “consistently” expressed a desire to downsize the American military presence in recent conversations with European leaders, the sources said. “Furthermore, for those [US troops] who remain, he would like financial contributions from European countries, because these soldiers are a deterrent, and the costs cannot be borne solely by American taxpayers,” one of ANSA’s sources claimed. Earlier this month, Trump said NATO member states in Europe should be spending 5% of their GDP on defense, beyond the current goal of 2%. “They can afford it,” he claimed.
On Tuesday, the US president called on Brussels to “equalize” with Washington when it comes to the support it provides to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. “We are in there for $200 billion more than the EU. I mean, what are we, stupid? I guess the answer is ‘yes.’ They must think so,” he said. Trump also pledged to impose tariffs on the bloc due to its trade surplus with the US. “The EU is very bad for us,” he claimed. During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron noted: “now that the new administration has taken office in the US, it is more important than ever for Europeans… to play their full part in consolidating a united, strong, and sovereign Europe.” READ MORE: Trump ready to meet with Putin ‘anytime’ Scholz backed Macron’s stance, acknowledging that “it is already clear that President Trump will be a challenge” for the EU.
