US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American troops stationed in Germany, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday. The drawdown is expected to be completed within six to twelve months.

The decision comes a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut troop numbers in Germany and criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz had allegedly claimed that the US was being "humiliated" by Iran's leadership, a remark that purportedly angered the Trump administration.

The US maintains the largest overseas military presence in Europe in Germany, with over 36,000 active service members as of December 2025. Key installations include Ramstein Air Base, the largest US Air Force base abroad.

The withdrawal order signals a potential shift in US-European security dynamics. Critics argue that the move weakens NATO's eastern flank and undermines transatlantic unity, while supporters claim it forces European allies to shoulder more defense costs.

This development is likely to strain US-German relations further, as Berlin faces pressure to increase its military spending and reassess its security partnerships.

Source: www.dw.com