The United States will withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, in a move highlighting growing tensions between President Donald Trump and European allies over the Iran conflict.
The drawdown follows a sharp exchange between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier criticized the handling of negotiations with Iran, stating that Tehran was humiliating the United States. A senior Pentagon official described such remarks as 'inappropriate and unhelpful,' adding that 'the president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks,' as reported by Reuters.
Troop Levels to Return to Pre-Ukraine War Scale
According to the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal, which will be completed within six to twelve months. This will reduce the US troop presence in Europe to levels seen before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when deployments were increased under former President Joe Biden.
As part of the move, a brigade combat team currently stationed in Germany will be pulled out, while a planned deployment of a long-range fires battalion has been canceled. Germany hosts about 35,000 US troops and remains Washington's largest military base in Europe, serving as a critical training and logistics hub.
NATO Tensions Widen Over Iran Conflict
The decision also reflects broader frustration within Washington over what it sees as a lack of support from NATO allies during the ongoing crisis with Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized European nations for failing to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route that has been severely disrupted during the conflict.
Merz, however, has pushed back, stating that Europe was not consulted before US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28 and expressing skepticism about the war's direction. 'The president has been very clear about his frustrations about our allies' rhetoric and failure to provide support for US operations that benefit them,' the Pentagon official said, as reported by Reuters.
The troop withdrawal marks a significant shift in US-Europe defense dynamics at a time when geopolitical tensions and energy disruptions continue to strain transatlantic relations.
