NATO Chief Says US Troop Reductions Are 'Expected' and 'Structured'
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday downplayed the Trump administration’s sudden decision to pull at least 5,000 troops from Europe, calling the move an “expected” adjustment that will take place in a “structured way.” Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Rutte insisted the withdrawals would not undermine the alliance’s defense plans, even as European allies expressed shock at the lack of prior consultation.
Washington this month announced it would reduce the number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) in Europe from four to three, returning force levels to those seen in 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Pentagon’s statement cited the “America First agenda” as the driving force behind the redeployment, which includes canceling a planned rotational deployment to Poland and pulling troops from Germany.
“We know that adjustments will take place, the U.S. has to pivot toward, for example, Asia,” Rutte said, adding that any reductions would be gradual and not affect NATO’s overall deterrence. His remarks echoed those of NATO’s top commander, U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, who said Tuesday he did not expect further withdrawals in the “near term” and that the process could take “several years” as European allies build their capacity.
Blindsided Allies Seek Clarity
The United States did not brief NATO allies in advance of the announcements, catching even staunch partners like Poland off guard. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with U.S. General Christopher Mahoney on Wednesday to seek clarity, later stating that talks “confirm that there are no plans to reduce the U.S. military presence in Poland.” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said there was still “no reliable confirmation” on whether the cuts would extend beyond Poland to affect troops stationed in Germany.
A Pentagon statement emphasized that Poland remains a “model ally,” and U.S. officials are discussing the delayed deployment with Polish counterparts. However, the lack of transparency has left many European capitals questioning the stability of the transatlantic relationship.
Rutte’s Countermove: Buying More American Weapons
Facing a deepening rift with Washington, Rutte has devised a new strategy to keep U.S. President Donald Trump engaged with NATO: promise major defense deals that benefit America. The NATO chief has in recent weeks spearheaded a campaign to scale up alliance defense production and encourage joint ventures with U.S. firms, aiming to present concrete results at the July Ankara summit of alliance leaders.
“Commercial companies are there to make sure that where there are business opportunities, you grasp it — there is now a huge business opportunity,” Rutte said Thursday in Sweden, where NATO foreign ministers are meeting. He has privately urged European allies to bring evidence of increased production and industrial contracts to Ankara, including orders for American arms.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard welcomed the initiative, saying, “I think it's so good that Rutte is highlighting this in Ankara so that we can have common standards, better interoperability, and produce more and cheaper.” She added that the U.S. has “unique capabilities” that Europe can benefit from.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Rutte’s push for closer defense industry ties with the U.S. risks clashing with the European Union’s own efforts to build an independent defense industrial base. The bloc has recently unveiled legal proposals and loans worth billions to prioritize European-made equipment. One senior NATO diplomat described the new strategy as “good news for the U.S.” but acknowledged the tension with Brussels.
Gerlinde Niehus, a former longtime NATO official, said the focus on industry “makes full sense to distract from divisions elsewhere.” Those divisions include not only the troop cuts but also disagreements over aid to Ukraine and whether NATO should play a role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Why It Matters: A Stronger Europe, or a Weaker Alliance?
Rutte used the moment to call for a “stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” urging the continent to “take a bigger role together with Canada” for its own conventional defense. But the troop withdrawals have exposed a growing vulnerability: the alliance’s deterrence now hinges on whether Europe can fill the gaps left by America.
Republican lawmakers on the Armed Services Committee warned that the withdrawal could send “the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin,” while one Republican lawmaker called the canceled Polish deployment a “slap in the face” to a key ally. Trump has previously threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO entirely, a prospect European leaders have worked hard to avoid.
Rutte’s plan to double down on U.S. weapons purchases — rather than purely European solutions — signals a recognition that keeping Trump in the fold requires an economic argument, not just a security one. The question remains whether Europe can both boost its own capacity and keep Washington happy.
The Long View: Adjusting to a New Reality
The U.S. redeployment affects only about 3 percent of American forces in Europe, but the political fallout has been immense. NATO’s top commander said the gradual process of reducing troops could take “several years,” giving Europe time to adapt.
Still, the crisis comes at a delicate moment. Many NATO countries are not spending enough to support Ukraine, Rutte said Thursday in Sweden, and the alliance is struggling to agree on new ways to boost aid to Kyiv. With the Ankara summit just weeks away, Rutte’s industrial push may be his best hope to paper over the cracks — at least for now.
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