BRUSSELS: The NATO troop review could still lead to a reduction of about 25,000 U.S. personnel in Europe as allies increase defence spending and reconsider their dependence on American military equipment.
Reuters reported that U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had considered announcing the reduction in June. However, resistance inside the administration led the Pentagon to begin a six-month force-posture review instead.
The United States currently has more than 81,000 military personnel in Europe, according to government audits and congressional testimony Reuters reviewed.
A 25,000-person reduction would bring that number below a congressionally mandated floor of 76,000 personnel, Reuters reported.
Three people familiar with the review said the Pentagon could still consider a cut of that scale. Meanwhile, the Pentagon prepared a 57-question document for allies in August.
Reuters said the questions assessed military and financial contributions as well as support for U.S. foreign-policy priorities. The White House said the review is intended to create momentum toward a more European-led defence posture.
Read: NATO Backs Trump’s Defence Spending Hike, Reaffirms Collective Defence
A senior Pentagon official described the process to Reuters as rigorous and consultative. Still, Washington continues investing in European military infrastructure.
The United States has contributed more than $100 million to the expansion of Romania’s Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base; meanwhile, European NATO members and Canada are spending substantially more on defence.
NATO says its combined defence expenditure rose nearly 20% in real terms in 2025. Allies have also committed to spending 5% of gross domestic product annually on defence and security-related needs by 2035.
However, higher spending does not necessarily mean greater reliance on U.S. suppliers. Reuters identified at least eight NATO members exploring ways to reduce dependence on American weapons, technology or defence companies.
Read: Europe Aims to Strengthen Defence Amid US Tensions at Munich Security Conference
They include Canada, Poland, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Turkey, France and Germany. Canada, for example, selected an Australian-made Arctic radar system and is reviewing whether to buy additional U.S.-made F-35 fighters.
European countries are also developing alternatives in air and missile defence. NATO, meanwhile, maintains that the alliance remains committed to collective defence.
Its 2025 summit declaration reaffirmed Article 5, under which an attack on one ally is treated as an attack on all.
The NATO troop review therefore remains a key source of uncertainty over the future U.S. military footprint in Europe. The Pentagon has not announced a final troop-reduction decision.
