US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration is considering reducing the number of American troops stationed in Germany, escalating tensions with a key Nato ally. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the move was under review, with a decision expected shortly.
The threat follows comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who suggested that Trump's team was being outmanoeuvred in negotiations with Iran over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Merz said the Iranians were “very skilful at not negotiating,” leaving US envoys to travel to Islamabad without results.
Trump responded by accusing Merz of thinking it is “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” and claimed the chancellor “doesn't know what he's talking about.” Merz dismissed the remarks, insisting his relationship with Trump remains “as good as ever,” but the troop reduction threat has raised alarm in Berlin and across Europe.
The US has over 68,000 active-duty military personnel in Europe, with Germany hosting the largest contingent—more than 35,000 troops according to official US data, though German media estimates put the figure at around 50,000. Trump has long criticised Nato allies for insufficient defence spending, and has previously threatened to withdraw from the alliance altogether.
Experts warn that even a partial withdrawal of US forces would severely undermine European security. Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to Nato, said it is “hard to see how any European country will now be able and willing to trust the United States to come to its defence.” The crisis comes amid Trump's threats to invade Greenland and his criticism of allies for not helping secure the Strait of Hormuz.
