The United States Department of Defense plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany, following a growing political dispute between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the handling of the Iran conflict.
The move comes shortly after Trump publicly criticised Merz, who had accused the United States of being “humiliated” in its dealings with Iran. Despite the reduction, Germany will remain the largest hub for US troops in Europe, currently hosting over 36,000 personnel.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the decision was anticipated, noting that a reduction in US military presence in Europe had long been expected. He emphasised, however, that American troops remain crucial for both European and US security interests.
According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the withdrawal was ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth after a strategic review of US military posture in Europe. The process is expected to take between six and twelve months.
Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has also threatened to reduce troop deployments in Italy and Spain, accusing both countries of failing to support US-led efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran.
In response, Merz questioned Washington’s strategic clarity, suggesting the US lacked a clear plan for ending the conflict. Trump fired back on social media, accusing Merz of misunderstanding the situation and blaming Germany’s economic struggles on poor leadership.
Germany has significantly increased its defence spending in recent years, now projected to exceed NATO’s target by reaching over 3% of GDP. Still, disagreements persist over burden-sharing and strategic priorities within the alliance.
The US troop presence in Germany—centered around bases such as Ramstein Air Base—remains a cornerstone of NATO’s European operations. However, the latest move signals a possible long-term shift in US military focus towards the Indo-Pacific region.
Previous attempts by Trump to reduce troop numbers in Germany during his earlier presidency were blocked by Congress and later reversed under Joe Biden. The current plan has already sparked concern among US lawmakers and Eastern European allies wary of regional security threats, particularly from Russia.
