Germany's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has described the planned withdrawal of around 5,000 US troops from the country as “foreseeable” and stressed the mutual benefits of the American military presence in Europe. The Pentagon announced the reduction, which amounts to roughly one-seventh of the 36,000 US service members stationed in Germany, marking a new low in relations between Washington and Berlin under President Donald Trump.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the US,” Pistorius told the German news agency dpa. He noted that Europe recognises the need to take greater responsibility for its own security within NATO, and pointed to Germany’s recent efforts to boost its armed forces and accelerate procurement.
The drawdown follows months of tension between Trump and European leaders. Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently criticised the US approach to the conflict in Iran, saying America was being “humiliated” by Iranian leadership. Trump, in turn, has accused NATO allies of not supporting his campaign against Iran and announced plans to raise tariffs on EU car imports to 25%, a move that would hit German manufacturers hard.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance was “working with the US to understand the details of their decision” and emphasised the need for Europe to invest more in defence. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the move came after a review of force posture and reflected “theatre requirements and conditions on the ground”.
Germany hosts key US military facilities, including Ramstein Air Base, the headquarters of US European Command and Africa Command, and a medical centre that treated casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq. US nuclear missiles are also stationed in the country. The reduction is to take place over the next six to 12 months.
