European leaders consider cutting US assets as | Political News

As Donald Trump turns into more and more undeterred in his pursuit of Greenland, some European officers have reportedly spoken in non-public on how they will resist U.S. aggression. 

The most dramatic counter reportedly mentioned between the officers was the reclamation of U.S. navy bases in Europe, which the U.S. routinely makes use of to project the strength of its armed forces, according to a European diplomat who spoke anonymously with Politco.

“Discussions are ongoing on how could we put pressure and say ‘Hey, you need us, and if you do this we are going to retaliate in some way,’” the diplomat said. “But at the same time, nobody wants to speak out about this.”

Discussions have also revolved around other methods, like leveraging Europe’s commerce partnership and the billions of {dollars} international locations on the continent spend each yr shopping for American weapons. Several European international locations have already despatched their troops to Greenland as a show of a united entrance.

France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands have all said they might participate in the Danish navy excercise on the island, though the Trump administration did not appeared fased by the gesture at all.

“I don’t think troops in Europe impacts the president’s decision-making process or impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday.

The big risk officers reportedlty concern if they pursue a more aggressive and public opposition to the U.S. is a full tear in the partnership between Europe and the U.S. They also fear that Trump might back out from security ensures for Ukraine, a cricucial level Kyiv calls for for any peace deal with Russia.

Officials also doubt the chance that Trump might order a navy invasion against Greenland, which is managed by NATO ally Denmark. “Maybe it’s wishful thinking,” one diplomat told Politco, before cautioning that “We should be prepared for it.”

The U.S. as of 2024 had 31 everlasting bases and 19 other navy websites across Europe. At least 67,500 servicemen are stationed in them, according to the defesne division. Most U.S. troopers are in Germany, the U.Ok. and Italy.

Ben Hodges, a former commander of U.S. troops in Europe, told Politico that those bases are “essential for readiness and enabling (America’s) global strategic reach.” The base in Ramstein, Germany, is especially important as it serves as a launchpad for deployments to the Middle East and Africa.

Those European bases have instantly assisted the U.S. navy in latest operations, including British bases, which helped with the seizure of a Russian-flagged shadow fleet oil tanker in the North Atlantic earlier this month. The U.S. also requested air drive backup from European international locations when it anticipated harsh resistance from Iranian troops during bombings last June.

Hodges said Europe has a key position in mending NATO.

“Europe can help save NATO and save this transatlantic relationship with the United States by standing up to the U.S. and not just being a patsy and rolling over,” he said.