Berlin, Germany. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said a planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany should prompt Europeans to strengthen their own defences, following a Pentagon announcement that adds to strains in transatlantic ties.
Pentagon outlines timeline for troop drawdown
The Pentagon announced on Friday that it would reduce the US troop presence in Germany, its largest European base, with the move expected to be completed over the next six to 12 months. It did not specify which bases would be affected or whether the troops would return to the United States or be redeployed elsewhere in Europe or beyond.
German officials cite need for greater European responsibility
Pistorius said the partial withdrawal would affect a current US presence of almost 40,000 soldiers stationed in Germany. The US Defence Manpower Data Centre reported that 36,436 active service members were stationed in Germany as of December last year.
“We Europeans must take on more responsibility for our own security,” Pistorius said, adding that Germany was expanding its armed forces, speeding up military procurement and building infrastructure.
Transatlantic tensions and alliance response
The drawdown comes as rifts over the Iran war and tariff tensions have placed further strain on relations between the United States and Europe. US President Donald Trump had called for a reduced military presence in Germany during his first term and has repeatedly urged Europe to take responsibility for its defence, stepping up the threat earlier this week after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Washington’s exit strategy in the Middle East.
A Nato spokesperson said the alliance was working with the United States to understand the details of the decision.
Poland expresses concern
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country is seeking assurances of continued US support on Nato’s eastern flank amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, expressed concern about the impact on the alliance.
“The greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance. We must all do what it takes to reverse this disastrous trend,” Tusk wrote on X on Saturday.
How do you think European countries should respond to the planned US troop reduction in Germany?