Sánchez has styled himself as a European counterweight to Trump, while Meloni — one of Trump’s European staunchest allies after his reelection in 2024 — has been distancing herself from the U.S. president recently, in a bid to save her premiership ahead of the national election expected in 2027. Merz said the U.S. is getting “humiliated” by Iran in the Middle East conflict.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto responded to the comments, telling media outlet ANSA he “wouldn’t understand the reasons” for a possible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Italy.
The United States has around 12,000 armed forces personnel stationed in Italy, with only Germany having a higher number in Europe at over 36,000. Spain hosts about 3,800 troops, according to an overview published by the Pentagon in December.
Merz long walked a tightrope to keep his relationship with Trump smooth, and Berlin, unlike Rome and Madrid, does allow the U.S. to use its Ramstein Air Base to coordinate military operations against Iran.
Any U.S. withdrawal from Germany would cost billions and take years, while weakening a key strategic advantage in its conflict with Iran and its ability to project military power globally.
Defense officials told POLITICO that there are no immediate plans for a drawdown but that they take Trump’s comments seriously.