The United States Department of Defense plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, amid growing tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the conflict involving Iran.
According to the Pentagon, the decision followed a review of U.S. military deployments in Europe. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the order was issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and is expected to be implemented over the next six to twelve months.
The U.S. currently maintains more than 36,000 active-duty troops in Germany, including major deployments at Ramstein Air Base.
The move comes after Trump publicly criticised Chancellor Merz following remarks suggesting the U.S. had been “humiliated” by Iranian negotiators during diplomatic efforts.
Trump responded sharply on social media, accusing Merz of poor leadership and criticising Germany’s positions on immigration, energy, and the Iran conflict. He also hinted at possible troop reductions in Italy and Spain, claiming both countries had failed to support U.S. efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Merz had earlier questioned U.S. strategy regarding Iran, stating that Washington lacked a clear long-term plan and had struggled diplomatically.
The development reflects broader disagreements within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance over military commitments and burden-sharing.
Despite past criticism from Trump regarding German defence spending, Berlin has significantly increased military expenditure in recent years, with defence spending projected to exceed 3% of GDP in 2027.
The planned troop reduction is expected to fuel further debate over the future of U.S. military commitments in Europe and NATO’s evolving security role.
