ANKARA: Trump’s remarks on European troops raised fresh tensions within the alliance on Tuesday, as the US president warned European leaders to “be careful” and suggested Washington could withdraw forces.
US President Donald Trump made the comments during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
Trump criticised Europe’s approach to immigration and energy, saying the continent had changed sharply over the past 20 years.
President Trump says further U.S. troop drawdowns in Europe are likely, as he calls on NATO allies to step up and recognize America’s longstanding commitment to the alliance.
Trump highlights the need for allies to support the United States as America has supported them for… pic.twitter.com/vx9YOc9H70
— NewYork-Insight (@NewYork_Insight) July 7, 2026“They better be careful with immigration and energy,” Trump said, warning that Europe could lose its identity if leaders failed to manage those issues.
The US president also suggested the United States could withdraw all of its troops from Europe.
Trump separately renewed his argument that Greenland should be under US control. He criticised European opposition to Washington’s push for sovereignty over the island.
Read: Trump Meloni Dispute Draws Warning from Belgium
Trump said Denmark did not spend enough to support Greenland and argued that the island was important to US security.
He said Greenland was surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships and added that Washington would not allow that situation to continue.
