Morning opening: Trump threatens Italy, Spain with pulling out US troops
Jakub Krupa
Italy 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.
Responding 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.
“Look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
Both countries have been vocally critical of Trump’s war in the Middle East, with the US president repeatedly taking aim at their leadership for refusing to join the conflict.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, previously a close ally, fell out with the US president over Rome’s unwillingness to join the conflict – she “lacked courage,” Trump said – as well as her criticism of Trump’s “unacceptable” comments about Pope Leo.
She also denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran after the US did not follow the required authorisation procedure.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez has been the most vocal European critic of the war from the very outset, repeatedly facing all sorts of angry reactions and threats from Trump in response, including of a trade embargo or a suspension of Nato membership (which is not even really a thing, really).
They know join Germany’s Friedrich Merz who was the prime target of Trump’s frustration in recent days, getting harshly criticised for his domestic record on energy and migration, involvement in the Russian aggression on Ukraine, and Iran.
Who’s next in the Trump lottery? Join us this Friday to see for yourself.
Let’s see if we are going to get any reactions from Rome or Madrid, or perhaps some other countries who previously stood resolutely behind the allies in the face of Trump’s threat.
Elsewhere, I will bring you the latest on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which becomes provisionally applicable today, and on the 1st of May marches and demonstrations across Europe.
It’s Friday, 1 May 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
‘I don’t understand the reasons,’ Italian defence minister surprised by Trump’s comments
Italy’s defence minister Guido Crosetto rejected accusations that Rome has not helped the US, especially in relation to maritime security in the strait of Hormuz.
“I don’t understand the reasons,” he told the ANSA news agency.
In reference to Trump’s accusations that Europeans have crossed the strait of Hormuz, he said this isn’t true and “we also made ourselves available for a mission to protect shipping.”
“This was greatly appreciated by the American military,” he added.
La Repubblica noted that there are seven US bases in Italy, with up to 15,000 troops, which for example provide Italy with air defence systems that would take a decade to replace.
Morning opening: Trump threatens Italy, Spain with pulling out US troops
Jakub Krupa
Italy 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.
Responding 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.
“Look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
Both countries have been vocally critical of Trump’s war in the Middle East, with the US president repeatedly taking aim at their leadership for refusing to join the conflict.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, previously a close ally, fell out with the US president over Rome’s unwillingness to join the conflict – she “lacked courage,” Trump said – as well as her criticism of Trump’s “unacceptable” comments about Pope Leo.
She also denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran after the US did not follow the required authorisation procedure.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez has been the most vocal European critic of the war from the very outset, repeatedly facing all sorts of angry reactions and threats from Trump in response, including of a trade embargo or a suspension of Nato membership (which is not even really a thing, really).
They know join Germany’s Friedrich Merz who was the prime target of Trump’s frustration in recent days, getting harshly criticised for his domestic record on energy and migration, involvement in the Russian aggression on Ukraine, and Iran.
Who’s next in the Trump lottery? Join us this Friday to see for yourself.
Let’s see if we are going to get any reactions from Rome or Madrid, or perhaps some other countries who previously stood resolutely behind the allies in the face of Trump’s threat.
Elsewhere, I will bring you the latest on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which becomes provisionally applicable today, and on the 1st of May marches and demonstrations across Europe.
It’s Friday, 1 May 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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