NATO said on Saturday it was working with the United States to understand Washington’s decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany as war in the Middle East deepens rifts in transatlantic ties.
The Pentagon’s announcement of the troop withdrawal came after U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Iran had “humiliated” Washington at the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Trump announced he would raise tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% next week from 15%, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with a trade deal signed last summer.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Friday that the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany is expected “to be completed within the next six to 12 months.”
Nato said on Saturday it was “working with the United States to understand the details of their decision to deploy troops in Germany”.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on
As of December 31, 2025, NATO ally Germany had 36,436 active US troops, while Italy had 12,662 and Spain had 3,814.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday that the U.S. troop withdrawal from Europe and Germany was expected.
– Republican concerns –
The decision was questioned by top Republican lawmakers responsible for U.S. military policy.
In a joint statement on Saturday, Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Mike Rogers, the chairmen of their respective House Armed Services Committees, warned that withdrawing troops from Germany could “send the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin.”
They said that while European allies were increasing defense spending, “translating investments into the military capabilities needed to assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence will take time.”
The two noted that Germany heeded Trump’s calls for increased defense spending and allowed U.S. aircraft to use German bases and airspace amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
– “Why shouldn’t I?” –
Trump has threatened to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany and other European allies during his two terms in the White House, saying he wants Europe to take greater responsibility for defense and not rely on Washington.
He now appears determined to punish allies who fail to support wars in the Middle East or contribute to the vital peacekeeping force in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran’s forces have effectively closed.
Trump said on Thursday he might withdraw U.S. troops from Italy and Spain because of their opposition to a war with Iran.
“Italy is not giving us any help and Spain is terrible, absolutely terrible,” he told reporters.
“Yeah, probably, I probably would. Why shouldn’t I?” Trump said.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadfeld said on Thursday that Berlin was “ready” to reduce the size of U.S. troops and was “discussing this closely in a spirit of trust in all NATO institutions.”
However, Wadfel said large U.S. bases in Germany were “simply not worth discussing,” citing the example of Ramstein Air Base, which he said “has an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us.”
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This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
