The United States has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, marking a significant shift in its military presence in Europe amid rising diplomatic tensions.
The decision was announced by the Pentagon on Friday, following an order from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to officials.
A Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, said the withdrawal will be completed within six to twelve months.
“We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months,” Parnell stated.
He added that the move followed a comprehensive review of America’s military posture in Europe, taking into account operational needs and conditions on the ground.
“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground,” he said.
The troop reduction comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and European allies over trade and security issues linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
US President Donald Trump has also announced plans to increase tariffs on European Union car and truck imports to 25 percent, accusing the bloc of failing to meet obligations under a previous trade agreement.
Trump further criticised European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, over their positions on Iran and broader security matters.
He accused Merz of misunderstanding U.S. foreign policy, stating that the German leader “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” after comments on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The U.S. president has repeatedly suggested reducing American troop deployments in Europe, arguing that European nations should take greater responsibility for their own defence.
He indicated that similar reductions could affect other NATO allies, including Italy and Spain, which currently host thousands of U.S. troops.
Trump also linked the move to broader disagreements over the Middle East conflict and European support for U.S.-led security efforts in strategic waterways.
German officials have responded cautiously to the announcement. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin is prepared for possible troop reductions but stressed that key U.S. military installations in Germany remain essential.
He specifically highlighted the importance of the Ramstein Air Base, calling it critical for both American and European security operations.
The European Union also reiterated that US military presence remains vital to regional stability, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The United States currently maintains tens of thousands of troops in Germany, forming one of its largest military deployments in Europe.
The planned withdrawal is expected to reshape NATO’s force structure and intensify discussions over burden-sharing among alliance members, particularly as security concerns in Europe continue to grow.
