Trump threatens to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain – as it happened
US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw American troops from Italy and Spain, citing their criticism of the US military campaign in Iran. He criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for lacking courage and accused Spain's Pedro Sánchez of being 'horrible' for opposing the war. The remarks add to growing tensions between the US and key European allies over foreign policy and military cooperation.
- ▪Donald Trump said he would 'probably' consider withdrawing US troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the US war in Iran.
- ▪Italy refused to authorize the use of a Sicilian airbase for US military flights bound for Iran over procedural concerns.
- ▪Spain's Pedro Sánchez has been a consistent critic of the US military campaign, prompting repeated threats from Trump.
- ▪Trump also criticized Germany's Friedrich Merz, urging him to 'fix his broken country' over energy, migration, and foreign policy issues.
- ▪The comments come amid broader tensions between the US and European allies regarding military commitments and diplomatic alignment.
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03.51 EDTMorning opening: Trump threatens Italy, Spain with pulling out US troopsJakub KrupaItaly and Spain have joined a growing list of countries that US president Donald Trump is threatening with pulling US troops from as part of a broader review of the US military presence in Europe.US president Donald Trump gestures during a press conference at a Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Photograph: Yves Herman/ReutersResponding to a question from a reporter, Trump said he would “probably” consider such a move, linking it to the two countries’ criticism of the US campaign in Iran.
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