Trump threatens to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain – Europe live

Morning opening: Trump threatens Italy, Spain with pulling out US troops Italy and Spain have joined a growing list of countries that US president Donald Trump is threatening with pulling US troops from as part of a broader review of the US military presence in Europe. US president Donald Trump gestures during a press conference at a Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters Responding to a question from a reporter, Trump said he would “probably” consider such a move, linking it to the two countries’ criticism of the US campaign in Iran. “Look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.” Both countries have been vocally critical of Trump’s war in the Middle East, with the US president repeatedly taking aim at their leadership for refusing to join the conflict. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, previously a close ally, fell out with the US president over Rome’s unwillingness to join the conflict – she “lacked courage,” Trump said – as well as her criticism of Trump’s “unacceptable” comments about Pope Leo. She also denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran after the US did not follow the required authorisation procedure. …