The Pentagon confirmed Friday that the United States will withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany, a move sparked by escalating tension between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the ongoing war with Iran.
The drawdown targets one brigade combat team and various support units. However, defense officials noted that the withdrawal will not impact major medical hubs like Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, which currently treats service members injured in the conflict.
The decision follows a public rift between the two leaders. While speaking to high school students earlier this week, Chancellor Merz criticized the American military approach, stating that the U.S. was being “humiliated” and lacked a clear strategy.
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“This situation is, as I said, at least ill-considered and I do not see at the moment what strategic exit the Americans are choosing now,” Merz said, comparing the situation to previous conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
President Trump responded sharply on social media, claiming Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and criticizing Germany’s economic performance. A senior Pentagon official clarified that the troop removal is a direct response to these comments and a broader frustration with allies who refuse to join the U.S. and Israel-led coalition against Iran.
“The Europeans have not stepped up when America needed them,” the official said. “This cannot be a one-way street.”
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated the withdrawal would take six months to a year to complete. He described the move as a result of a “thorough review” of force posture and “conditions on the ground.”
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Despite the friction, Merz told reporters on Wednesday that he still views his personal relationship with the American president as “good.” The German embassy in Washington has declined to comment on the troop reduction.
Germany currently hosts about 35,000 U.S. troops, making it the primary logistics and training hub for American operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. While the Pentagon has long discussed shifting resources toward the Indo-Pacific, this specific pullout appears tied to the diplomatic fallout regarding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the war that began on Feb. 28.
On Thursday, Trump signaled that Germany might not be the only country seeing a reduced U.S. footprint, suggesting that Italy and Spain could be next. “Why shouldn’t I?” Trump told reporters. “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
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