Trump plans to pull 5,000 troops from Germany and warns other NATO allies
Photo: US military personnel (Getty Images)
The Pentagon is preparing a major reduction of its military presence in Germany. About 5,000 US service members are expected to be withdrawn from the country, according to CBS News and Reuters.
US President Donald Trump is dissatisfied with European allies, particularly over what he sees as insufficient support in the US-Iran war. He has publicly criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other NATO leaders.
Trump has repeatedly stressed that allies must share the burden of the war, placing particular expectations on Germany’s capabilities, the report notes. Since that has not happened, the White House has moved toward more drastic steps.
Cold War legacy: scale of US presence
Germany has for decades served as America’s main outpost in Europe. This presence dates back to the aftermath of World War II and was reinforced during the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union.
Current US presence in Germany includes:
- more than 36,000 active-duty troops;
- about 1,500 reservists;
- nearly 11,500 civilian personnel.
Today, only Japan hosts a larger US military contingent. Germany remains critically important for Pentagon logistics, as it hosts Ramstein Air Base — a key hub for global operations. It is also home to the headquarters of the US European and African Commands.
Where troops may be redeployed and security impact
The plan to withdraw 5,000 troops appears to be a warning signal from Trump. Some forces will return to the United States, while a significant number are expected to be redeployed to the Indo-Pacific region, which the Pentagon now considers a priority.
This is "an effort to focus on the Pentagon's priorities in the US homeland and the Indo-Pacific region,” US defense officials explained.
Despite the reduction, some critical facilities will continue operating as usual. This includes the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center — the largest US military hospital outside the United States. It plays a vital role in treating personnel wounded in Iranian attacks. Medical evacuation and care remain outside political disputes.
What led to the withdrawal decision
Just days ago, Trump said on his social network Truth Social that he was “considering” withdrawing troops from Germany, without providing details on scale or timing.
In addition, Trump threatened to pull US forces from two more European countries — Italy and especially Spain, which has openly criticized his actions in the war with Iran.
The US administration has also reportedly developed a kind of ranking of NATO allies, dividing them into “compliant” and “non-compliant.”
