US to Withdraw Thousands of Troops from Germany Amid Tensions
Germany reacts to US troop withdrawal, emphasizing Europe's security and NATO relations amid Trump’s dissatisfaction.
The US is set to withdraw 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, as tensions over the Iran conflict continue to escalate between President Donald Trump and European leaders.
President Trump had threatened the troop withdrawal earlier this week following disagreements with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz had said on Monday that Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the war.
"This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. "We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months."
US officials have characterized the move as a sign of President Trump’s dissatisfaction with the level of assistance European allies have provided in the conflict, according to media reports.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius noted the importance of US forces in Europe, stating their presence was "in our interest and in the interest of the United States." He added that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security.
"It was foreseeable that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany," Pistorius said. "Germany is on the right track" in this regard, he added, emphasizing advancements in the procurement of equipment.
Germany serves as the US military's most significant basing location in Europe, with 35,000 active-duty personnel stationed there. The country is also a key training hub for US forces.
Reports indicated that a brigade combat team currently stationed in Germany will be removed from the country, and a long-range fires battalion initially intended to deploy to Germany later this year will no longer make the move.
A NATO spokesperson stated that the organization is working with Washington to understand the specifics of the planned troop drawdown.
We are working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany. This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security - where we’re…
— NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) May 2, 2026
The announcement comes as President Trump continues to criticize NATO and European allies for failing to support US efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Iran had effectively closed the strategic waterway, prompting the US to establish its own blockade of the vital oil transit route.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed frustration over the situation, saying Germans and Europeans were not consulted before the US and Israel began attacks on Iran in February. Merz reportedly conveyed his skepticism about the conflict directly to President Trump afterward.
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