The Pentagon is reducing US forces in Europe as Trump pushes for NATO defense spending
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The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that it is reducing the number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) in Europe from four to three as the Trump administration pressures NATO allies to increase defense spending.
This decision comes after President Donald Trump repeatedly said that European countries should contribute more to their defense and rely less on the United States. It also follows the Pentagon's recent decision to halt the planned deployment of up to 4,000 US troops to Poland.
While the Army Department did not specify the number of soldiers affected, the BCT typically has about 4,400 to 4,700 soldiers. Officials said the move would restore troop levels in Europe to those seen in 2021.
“This decision is the result of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary process focused on the US military posture in Europe,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
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The ministry said the move would temporarily delay the deployment of US troops to Poland, which it described as “a US example.”
“The Department will determine the final status of these and other US forces in Europe based on further analysis of US strategic and operational needs, as well as the ability of our partners to contribute to the defense of Europe,” the statement said.
“This analysis is designed to advance President Trump's America First agenda in Europe and other theaters, including mobilizing and enabling our NATO allies to assume primary responsibility for the common defense of Europe,” it added.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke Tuesday with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Pentagon said, adding that the US would remain in contact with Polish officials during the review.
“Poland has shown the ability and determination to defend itself,” the department said. “Other NATO partners should follow suit.”
The announcement came after Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration plans to inform NATO allies this week that the United States will reduce the military power available to support Europe during a major conflict, citing sources familiar with the matter.
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The move also comes days after the Pentagon halted a planned deployment of up to 4,000 US troops to Poland, prompting concern in Warsaw and criticism from US lawmakers.
The affected unit, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was scheduled to deploy to Poland and other eastern locations as part of a nine-month NATO deployment.
About 10,000 US troops are stationed in Poland, most of them serving on rotations lasting several months. Because U.S. troops in Poland rely heavily on that turn, the suspended deployment raised concerns among Polish officials.
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President Donald Trump speaks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a joint meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025. (Ludovic Marin/AFP)
Poland's Deputy Defense Minister said Warsaw plans to press US officials in the coming days about the Pentagon's decision.
“We will ask questions and I think we will get answers,” Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski previously told Fox News Digital in an interview ahead of meetings in Washington with Pentagon officials and members of Congress.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with President Donald Trump and Polish President Karol Nawrocki in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)
Polish officials continued to describe the country as an “exemplary partner” within NATO and said they expect military cooperation with the United States to continue to expand.
Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
