NATO allies bewildered by Trump’s about-face on US troop moves in Europe
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- U.S. President Donald Trump announced sending 5,000 additional troops to Poland shortly after ordering the withdrawal of the same number of troops from Europe, causing confusion among NATO allies and defense officials.
- The initial troop reduction had raised concerns about America's commitment to European security, especially on NATO's eastern flank amid tensions with Russia and Ukraine.
- NATO members and U.S. defense officials expressed bewilderment over the contradictory moves, though some ministers viewed the situation as part of ongoing troop posture reassessments.
- Trump’s troop withdrawal order followed criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and included new tariffs on European cars, complicating transatlantic relations.
- Despite the fluctuations, the U.S. is required to maintain at least 76,000 troops in Europe, and the latest announcement suggests troop levels in Poland will remain roughly the same, a move welcomed by Polish and NATO officials.