US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he will launch a six-month review to reassess the role and size of US forces stationed in Europe. He also warned that the United States could reduce its contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if allies fail to honor their pledges to increase defense spending and continue "free-riding" on security.
According to Reuters and other outlets, Hegseth made the remarks at a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday, where he again urged European allies to reduce their reliance on the United States for continental defense and strengthen their own security capabilities.
In his speech that day, Hegseth unveiled a new review plan concerning US troop deployments in Europe, stressing that the work is not a formal procedure but an effort to assess the practical benefits that the European presence provides to the United States. "This is about shifting NATO into a European-led structure in a swift and irreversible way," Hegseth said. "It means Europe must take primary responsibility for European defense."
Hegseth did not directly state that the review would lead to a reduction in US forces. However, analysts say the move is intended to pressure European nations to shoulder more of the defense burden while allowing US forces to respond more flexibly to missions around the world.
He also stressed that the size of the US contribution to NATO depends on whether allies expand their defense spending. "If other allies do not urgently spend on defense, our contribution will shrink," Hegseth said. "NATO must become a two-way partnership." He added, "The United States cannot be responsible for European defense more than its allies or bear more of the cost."
Hegseth also took issue with the fact that some allies did not allow US forces to use bases or transit airspace during the Iran war. He said that during the review process, the United States would also check whether future access to bases and airspace transit rights it requires are guaranteed.
The remarks came as the United States recently notified some allies that it may no longer automatically provide certain military assets, such as fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers, even if a member state is attacked. European nations are seeking ways to fill the security gap in preparation for a possible reduction in US support.
The Donald Trump administration believes more military resources are needed to respond simultaneously to multiple security crises, including countering China and instability in the Middle East. Accordingly, it is reported to be considering options such as partially reducing the troops and assets deployed in Europe.
