Pentagon Cuts NATO Force Commitments by One-Third, May 28

The Pentagon announced plans to cut the military forces it would send to Europe in a crisis by one-third to one-half, according to a briefing at NATO headquarters last week. The cuts include long-range bombers, midair refueling tankers, and warships. The Trump administration says the move aims to push NATO allies to take greater responsibility for defending Europe as the U.S. shifts focus toward China in the Pacific.

What the Pentagon Is Cutting

Pentagon official Alexander Velez-Green notified NATO allies of plans to shrink the pool of military assets available during a conflict. The cuts affect the NATO force model, which assigns forces from member states for various defense plans. The U.S. will reduce commitments of long-range strike forces, strategic bombers, some midair refueling tankers, and warships that would be available within the first 10, 30, and 180 days of a major crisis.

The move comes as the Pentagon announced changes to NATO force contributions at a closed-door meeting in Brussels. Current and former officials told media outlets that the Trump administration aims to cut forces earmarked to defend NATO by one-third to one-half.

Why the U.S. Is Reshaping Its Commitments

The Trump administration is adjusting U.S. force posture to deter China in the Pacific, which it views as a growing strategic challenge. The Pentagon says the changes represent an opportunity for NATO allies to demonstrate they have heard President Trump’s call to step up and take primary responsibility for conventional defense of Europe. The move also reflects a broader Pentagon review aimed at reshaping America’s global military priorities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

President Trump is expected to attend a NATO leaders summit in Ankara, Turkey, in July, where he will likely pressure allied leaders to do more. The administration has also announced plans to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany and reduce U.S. brigade combat teams in Europe from four to three.

European Defense Spending Pledges

European nations pledged last year to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense and related infrastructure in exchange for the U.S. keeping its current forces in Europe. However, critics argue the European pledges are not worth much and that heavier spending does little on its own to benefit the United States. Germany is leading European defense spending growth, representing 30 percent of the region’s increase. Spain, Poland, and Italy are also raising defense budgets, with contributions of 18 percent, 11 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The vast majority of European countries currently meet the 2 percent NATO target, but only Poland and Latvia reach the new 3.5 percent threshold. Global military spending reached 2.4 percent of global GDP in 2025, with Europe accounting for more than 50 percent of the worldwide increase.

Legal Limits on Troop Reductions

The 2026 U.S. defense budget law bars the United States from reducing its troop presence in Europe below 76,000 personnel. The law also requires Washington to consult with NATO allies and conduct a detailed security assessment before making any additional cuts. If the Pentagon moves forward with its plan to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, the total number of U.S. forces in Europe could fall below this legal minimum, triggering congressional review.

The House Armed Services Committee chairman has warned the Pentagon of potential consequences over the sudden cancellation of an armored brigade deployment to Poland, which would have included more than 4,000 troops.

Final Thoughts

The Pentagon’s cuts signal a real shift in U.S. defense strategy toward Asia, though the Trump administration maintains it remains committed to NATO. The move forces European allies to invest more in their own defense while the U.S. rebalances its global military posture.

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