Trump considers troop shifts in Europe amid trade talks
US President Donald Trump stated that he does not rule out the possibility of withdrawing some U.S. troops from Europe and suggested that this could be a subject of trade negotiations. He also expressed satisfaction that the EU did not immediately decide to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to new American tariffs.
When asked if he plans to reduce US troops in Europe, Donald Trump replied "Well, good. I mean, it depends."
Trump: We pay for the military in Europe
- We pay for military over in Europe, you know. We don't get reimbursed by much South Korea too. So, it would be one of the things we discussed that's unrelated to trade, but I think we'll make it part of it, because it makes sense. It’d be nice to wrap it all up in one package for each country - said the U.S. President, referring to negotiations on tariffs.
Trump admitted that the decision to halt higher tariffs for 90 days was made on Wednesday morning, and he wrote the executive order on this matter with his economic advisers "from the heart," without the involvement of lawyers. He also noted with relief that the European Union refrained from immediately imposing retaliatory tariffs. The EU announced 25% retaliatory tariffs on Wednesday, but they were set to come into effect in mid-April.
US troops relocated from Jasionka to other bases
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) announced a planned relocation of American personnel and military equipment from the Jasionka airport near Rzeszów, which has been a key support hub for Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion of that country, which began in February 2022. As noted, "This transition is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies."
Polish authorities assured that there is no talk of withdrawing American soldiers from Poland. President Andrzej Duda emphasized that the relocation of American personnel and military equipment from the airport in Jasionka is not a withdrawal of troops.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also noted that the relocation of American soldiers from the airport in Jasionka was announced and consulted many weeks ago. He added that the Americans assured that their soldiers will continue to be stationed in Poland, and the decision does not mean a reduction of U.S. forces in Poland or Europe.
