YEREVAN/ROME - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly pushed back against President Donald Trump's threats to withdraw U.S. military forces from Italy, stating that while the decision is not hers to make, she "personally would not agree" with such a move .
Speaking on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday, Meloni addressed Trump's recent threats to remove American troops from multiple European nations, including Italy, Spain, and Germany .
Meloni Says She Would Not Back U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Italy#Asiaone #asiaonenews #GiorgiaMeloni #PrimeMinister #Italy #NATO #USA #Trump #troops #withdrawal pic.twitter.com/qR01GEi7qH
- ASIA ONE NEWS (@AsiaOne_News) May 4, 2026
"I can't say what will happen," Meloni told reporters. "We know that for some time the United States has been discussing a disengagement from Europe, which is why I think we must strengthen our security and increase our capacity to respond from this point of view" .
She added: "Clearly, it is a choice that does not depend on me and that I personally would not agree with" .
Italy's Defense Record
Meloni used the opportunity to defend Italy's record within the NATO alliance, countering what she suggested were inaccurate characterizations of Italy's contributions .
"Italy has always upheld its commitments, including within NATO, even when our direct interests were not involved, as we did in Afghanistan and Iraq," she said, referencing the 53 Italian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan .
According to preliminary NATO estimates, Italy's defense spending reached 2.01% of GDP in 2025, surpassing the alliance's 2% threshold and marking a significant jump from 1.52% in 2024 .
The Context of Tensions
Meloni's remarks come amid growing strains in U.S.-Italian relations . The tensions trace back to late March, when Italy denied the United States permission to use the Sigonella military air base in Sicily for a flight linked to operations in the Middle East . Italian authorities determined that the flight was not routine or logistical in nature and therefore fell outside the scope of bilateral agreements, requiring prior authorization that had not been obtained .
Trump subsequently accused Meloni of "lacking courage" after she defended Pope Leo XIV against Trump's attacks and refused to grant overflight rights . The president then threatened to withdraw American troops from Italy .
The Stakes for Italy
The potential withdrawal carries significant implications for Italy. As of December 2025, approximately 12,700 to 13,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed across multiple bases in Italy . These include:
| Location | Significance |
|---|---|
| Naval Support Activity Naples | Hosts 8,500 personnel and over 50 commands |
| Aviano Air Base | The only U.S. combat wing permanently assigned south of the Alps |
| Sigonella, Sicily | Key strategic hub for U.S. Mediterranean operations |
Diverging Paths
The geopolitical rift has widened as Trump's administration signals a strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific and a reduced focus on European security . Already, the U.S. has announced it will transfer command of NATO's Joint Force Command in Naples to an Italian officer-a move seen as part of a broader American disengagement from European command structures .
Meloni, meanwhile, appears to be positioning herself for a domestic audience increasingly skeptical of the U.S. president. Polling data indicates that approximately 80% of Italian voters hold an unfavorable view of Trump . Her defeat in a March referendum on judicial reform was viewed by some analysts as partially attributable to her association with Washington .
European Implications
Broader European concerns about U.S. commitment to NATO were echoed at the Yerevan summit. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that the announced withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany demonstrates the need to strengthen the European pillar within NATO .
Meloni echoed this sentiment, calling on the European Union to "raise its game" and move "from reacting to being able to anticipate" crises . She urged greater attention to the wider Mediterranean region, including Africa, arguing that the EU's strategy should focus not only on like-minded countries but also on Europe's geographic neighborhood .
Despite the growing frost between Rome and Washington-Meloni and Trump reportedly have not had direct contact for weeks-Italian government sources suggest that an imminent troop withdrawal is not considered credible in the short term . However, the rhetorical escalation reflects deeper structural shifts in transatlantic relations as both sides recalibrate their strategic postures for a new geopolitical era.
