Washington, United States. The United States will withdraw 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon said on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.
Pentagon outlines timeline and current troop levels
The Pentagon said the withdrawal is expected to be completed over the next six to 12 months. Germany is home to about 35,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel, more than anywhere else in Europe.
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drawdown would bring U.S. troop levels in Europe back to roughly pre-2022 levels, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a buildup by then-President Joe Biden.
Dispute follows remarks by German chancellor
Trump had threatened a drawdown earlier this week after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday that Iranians were humiliating the United States in talks to end the two-month-old war and that he did not see what exit strategy Washington was pursuing.
The senior Pentagon official said recent German rhetoric had been “inappropriate and unhelpful,” adding: “The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks.”
Broader posture and potential further moves in Europe
The official also framed the decision as part of the Trump administration’s push for Europe to become the main security provider on the continent, while describing it as a reminder of Trump’s willingness to respond to perceived disloyalty by allies.
Reuters reported last week an internal Pentagon email outlining options to punish NATO allies that Washington believes failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from NATO and reviewing the U.S. position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
It is unclear if more withdrawals from Europe will follow. On Thursday, Trump said “probably” when asked whether he would consider pulling U.S. troops out of Italy and Spain.
Spain cited in trade and basing dispute
Last month, Trump threatened to impose a full U.S. trade embargo on Spain, where the Socialist leadership said it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used to attack Iran.
The United States has two important military bases in Spain: Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base.
Do you think the United States will order additional troop withdrawals from other European countries?
