President Donald Trump said Thursday that American and Polish officials have made “major progress” toward establishing a new U.S. Army base in Poland.
Since his first term, Trump has steadily pressured fellow NATO members to increase their annual defense commitments. While the pressure campaign has driven some increases in European defense spending, Trump has simultaneously feuded with NATO leaders over a perceived lack of support for his war with Iran.
“GREAT NEWS! Thanks to the bold leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday. “If this happens, the location will be announced very soon. This will be a historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
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The Polish government announced last week that the country had secured a new $4 billion agreement with the Pentagon for future American weapons purchases. Stars and Stripes reported that, at the time the deal was announced, American officials were in Poland reviewing potential sites for a new base.
Nawrocki’s predecessor, Andrzej Duda, previously floated the idea of opening a “Fort Trump” American military base in Poland during Trump’s first term, though American officials rejected the name at the time.