US to withdraw troops from Germany in phased move as Trump signals deeper cuts

The United States is set to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in a decision described by Berlin as “foreseeable”, with further reductions signalled by President Donald Trump amid rising tensions over Nato burden-sharing.

The move affects part of the more than 36,000 US active-duty personnel stationed in Germany — Washington’s largest military presence in Europe.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the decision was not unexpected, but stressed that the presence of US troops in Europe remained in the interest of both allies. Nato has also said it is seeking clarification from Washington on the scope and implications of the plan.

Speaking over the weekend, Mr Trump indicated that the withdrawal could extend beyond the initial figure. “We’re going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” he said, without providing further details.

The Pentagon said the decision was authorised by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, adding that the drawdown is expected to be completed within six to 12 months.

The announcement comes amid renewed friction between Washington and European allies over defence commitments. Mr Trump has long criticised Nato members for not meeting defence spending targets and has suggested a broader reassessment of US troop deployments across Europe, including Italy and Spain.

Within Europe, the decision has sparked concern among policymakers. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that internal divisions, rather than external threats, posed the greatest risk to the transatlantic alliance, urging members to strengthen unity.

US lawmakers from both parties have also expressed unease, cautioning that a reduced American military presence could weaken Nato’s deterrence posture at a time of heightened global tensions.

Germany, meanwhile, has increased its defence spending significantly in recent years, with projections indicating a continued rise in military expenditure as European nations respond to calls for greater self-reliance in security matters.

Nato officials say discussions with Washington are ongoing as allies seek clarity on the future scale and structure of US forces in Europe.

Source: BBC News