US to cut troop levels in Germany by 5,000 amid Trump spat with Merz

May 2, 2026

The US Defense Department has announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months, following escalating tensions between President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding Iran negotiations. The withdrawal represents a significant reduction in America's largest European military presence of over 36,000 active duty personnel stationed across German bases. The decision follows Trump's public criticism of Merz for suggesting the US had been "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators and comes as part of a broader reassessment of US force deployment in Europe.

Who is affected

Approximately 5,000 US troops currently stationed in Germany
More than 36,000 total active duty US troops assigned to German bases
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the German government
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius
US allies in Italy and Spain (potentially affected by similar threats)
NATO alliance members
Eastern European countries concerned about Russian threats
Personnel stationed at Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern

What action is being taken

The US Defense Department is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany
The withdrawal is being completed over the next six to twelve months
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting a thorough review of the Department's force posture in Europe
Trump is lashing out at allies over their refusal to participate in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Why it matters

This troop withdrawal represents a significant shift in US-European military relations and weakens America's largest European military presence at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. The decision undermines NATO alliance cohesion and signals potential US disengagement from European security commitments, which could embolden Russia and create uncertainty among Eastern European allies who depend on American military presence for deterrence. The withdrawal is particularly notable because Germany has actually increased its defense spending to 3.1% of GDP, meeting and exceeding NATO targets that Trump previously criticized Germany for missing, suggesting the decision is driven more by diplomatic disputes than legitimate security concerns.

What's next

The troop withdrawal is expected to be completed over the next six to twelve months
Trump indicated he will "probably" consider pulling US troops from Italy and Spain as well
The US is continuing its broader plan to shift military commitment focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region

Read full article from source: BBC