The United States is set to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, marking a significant shift in its military posture in Europe and escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Pentagon confirmed the move on Thursday, stating that the withdrawal follows a comprehensive review of US force deployment across Europe. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the decision, authorized by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, reflects “theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” with the process expected to be completed within six to twelve months.
The announcement comes just days after a public war of words between Trump and Merz over the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking earlier this week, Merz criticized Washington’s approach, saying the United States appeared to lack a clear strategy and had been “humiliated” by Iranian negotiators.
“The Americans clearly have no strategy,” Merz told university students, adding that Iran had skillfully avoided meaningful negotiations, leaving the US without results.
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Trump responded sharply on his Truth Social platform, accusing the German leader of incompetence and suggesting he was soft on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “He’s doing a terrible job,” Trump wrote, also criticizing Germany’s economic performance and domestic policies.
The dispute reflects broader tensions between Washington and several European allies over their reluctance to support US-led operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route affected by the Iran conflict. Trump has also hinted at further troop withdrawals from Italy and Spain, criticizing both countries for what he described as a lack of support.
“I probably will—why shouldn’t I?” Trump said when asked about reducing forces in those countries. “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible.”
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Germany hosts the largest contingent of US forces in Europe, with more than 36,000 active-duty personnel stationed across the country, including at the strategic Ramstein Air Base. Only Japan hosts a larger US military presence globally.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged the importance of US troops in Germany but said the move did not come as a surprise. “The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and particularly in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the US,” he said, while noting that a reduction had long been foreseeable.
The planned withdrawal echoes earlier efforts by Trump to reduce US troop levels in Germany. In 2020, a proposal to move 12,000 troops was blocked by Congress and later reversed under President Joe Biden.
At the time, Trump had criticized Germany for failing to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP. However, Berlin has since significantly increased its military budget. Under the Merz government, Germany is projected to spend €105.8 billion on defense by 2027, with spending expected to reach 3.1% of GDP next year.
The latest move is also part of a broader strategic pivot by the US, which has increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific region. Last year, Washington reduced its troop presence in Romania, urging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense.
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Still, the decision has sparked concern among some US lawmakers and Eastern European allies, who fear a reduced American presence could embolden Russia and weaken NATO’s deterrence.
As the withdrawal begins, it underscores a deepening divide between the United States and its European partners—one that could reshape the future of the transatlantic alliance.
