The cut that didn’t start: the plan to reduce US forces in Europe was stalled

• The Trump administration blocked the Defense Secretary’s plan to cut US military forces in Europe.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth planned to announce the move during his visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
• The plan was blocked after it was brought to the attention of Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and other senior officials.
• The Pentagon will conduct a re-examination of the deployment of forces that will last up to six months.
• Trump will meet next week with NATO leaders at a summit to be held in Ankara.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth planned to announce another cut in US forces in Europe last month, but the move was stalled after it was brought to the attention of senior Trump administration officials, the Wall Street Journal reported tonight (between Thursday and Friday). According to the report, the incident indicates that the administration has not yet made a final decision regarding the rate and scope of the possible reduction in the American military presence on the continent.

According to the report, Hesseth intended to come to Brussels and inform NATO officials that the US was preparing for further cuts, beyond the cancellation of the deployment of an armored brigade in Poland and the previous withdrawal of an infantry brigade from Romania. However, after the plan was brought to the attention of Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, President Trump’s national security advisor, and other senior officials, it was stalled. Instead of an immediate announcement, Hesseth announced that The Pentagon will begin a renewed examination of the deployment of American forces in Europe, which may last up to six months.

The move reflects the tension within the administration between the desire to reduce the American commitment to Europe, and the fear of harming relations with allies and showing weakness vis-à-vis Russia. Trump himself has often criticized NATO countries that he says do not invest enough in their security, while senior Pentagon officials are pushing for the transfer of central security responsibility to European countries.

Also in the background is the Pentagon’s security strategy, published in January, according to which the United States is expected to reduce its presence in Europe in order to direct more resources to the Pacific Ocean, to deal with China and other arenas. However, according to the report, the decisions on the ground are still not finalized – and the attempt by Geseth to promote a significant announcement is being blocked at this stage by the top political echelon.

Hesseth said when he announced the re-examination that it was a “real examination”, designed to make sure that NATO is moving quickly and irreversibly to a situation where Europe bears the main responsibility for its defense. Next week, Trump is expected to meet with NATO leaders in Ankara, where both the extent of American forces on the continent and Washington’s demand for increased defense spending by the allies are expected to be discussed.