Trump threatens to withdraw troops from Italy, Spain

by · UPI

May 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to remove American troops from Spain and Italy.

Trump told reporters in the White House that Italy had "not been of any help to us," and accused Spain of being "absolutely horrible." Both countries have denied any U.S. military planes that are used in the war against Iran from using their bases.

Trump also threatened to draw down troops in Germany Wednesday after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the United States' success in the war, saying the United States has been "humiliated."

The president has criticized NATO allies for not sending their navies to the Strait of Hormuz, an important commercial shipping route.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has spoken out against the war on Iran since it began. Italy, led by Trump ally Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, refused to allow the U.S. to use an air base in Sicily for planes carrying weapons to Iran.

Sánchez has said he's not worried about Spain's position in NATO.

"No worries. The Spanish government's position is clear: absolute cooperation with our allies, but always within the framework of international law," he told reporters last week.

Sánchez has previously said Spain would not be "complicit in something that is bad for the world and that is also contrary to our values ​​and interests."

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said he wasn't clear on the motives to withdraw troops from Italy and rejected the idea that Italy hasn't helped the United States. Trump has also said that European-linked ships had crossed the strait.

"As is clear to everyone, this never happened," The Guardian reported Crosetto told Italian news outlet Ansa. "We have also made ourselves available for a mission to protect shipping. This was greatly appreciated by the American military."

"The incredible thing is, they've used the Strait of Hormuz, while we haven't," Crosetto added.

The United States has around 12,000 military forces personnel in Italy, Politico reported. Only Germany has a higher number in Europe at more than 36,000. Spain has about 3,800 U.S. troops.

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President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday. Trump signed an order to expand workers' access to retirement accounts. Trump also signed legislation ending a 75-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security after the House voted in favor of funding. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo