US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States is considering a reduction of its military forces in Germany, a move that could reshape the American military footprint in Europe. Trump made the statement on his Truth Social platform, saying a decision would be made in the coming days.

Germany hosts the largest US military contingent in Europe, with over 36,000 active service members as of December 2025, according to the US Defense Manpower Data Center. Key installations include Ramstein Air Base, the largest US overseas air force base, and five of the seven US garrisons in Europe are located in Germany.

The announcement comes just days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the US of being 'humiliated' by Iran's leadership. On Monday, Merz criticized Iran's negotiating tactics, noting that US officials traveled to Islamabad for talks and left without any results, adding that 'an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership.'

Trump's post did not specify the scale of the potential reduction, but it follows months of rumors about possible withdrawals. The US also maintains significant forces in the United Kingdom and Italy, which host the next largest contingents in Europe.

The move is seen as a potential shift in US-European defense relations, with implications for NATO's posture. Critics argue that reducing troops in Germany could weaken the alliance, while supporters claim it aligns with Trump's 'America First' policy.

Source: www.dw.com