News Screen – President Donald Trump again hinted at plans for a major reduction in US troops in Germany, exceeding the 5,000 figure previously announced by the Pentagon.
This statement adds to tensions in transatlantic relations amidst ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
In his statement to reporters on Saturday, Trump emphasized that the troop reductions would not stop at the numbers already announced. “We’re going to reduce drastically, much more than 5,000,” he said, without providing additional details.
Also Read: Trump Raises EU Car Tariffs to 25 Percent, Triggers Threat of Trade Retaliation
Previously, the Pentagon said that around 5,000 troops would be withdrawn from Germany within a period of six to twelve months. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the process was still in the technical planning stage.
This move comes amid increasing tensions between Washington and Berlin, including differences in views regarding the conflict with Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously criticized the United States’ position in negotiations with Tehran.
The NATO alliance said it was coordinating with the US government to understand the details of the policy. NATO also views this step as a reminder for European countries to increase defense investment and strengthen collective security responsibilities.
The latest data shows there are more than 36 thousand US military personnel stationed in Germany by the end of 2025, making it one of the main bases of American military power in Europe.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the troop withdrawal plan something that had been expected. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized that strategic bases such as Ramstein still have an important role and cannot be replaced.
On the other hand, Trump’s policies have raised concerns from the Republican Party itself. Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers warned that troop reductions could send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially amid global security dynamics.
Apart from Germany, Trump also opened the possibility of withdrawing troops from Italy and Spain. He assessed that the two countries did not provide sufficient support for US military policy in the Middle East, especially regarding securing the strategic route in the Strait of Hormuz.
This policy also emphasizes Trump’s pressure on European allies to increase their contribution to joint defense, in line with changes in the direction of United States foreign policy which is increasingly oriented towards domestic interests and the burdens of allies. ***
