The Pentagon announced Washington's intention to withdraw about five thousand American soldiers from Germany within a year, in a move that Berlin described on Saturday as "expected," calling on Europe to strengthen its security, while NATO will hold consultations with Washington "to clarify the details" of the decision. The decision came in the context of escalating tension between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after the latter's criticism of the US "absence of a strategy" towards Iran, and Trump's accusation of Berlin of failing to support the war.

Published on: 05/02/2026 - 08:13 Last updated: 05/03/2026 - 12:23

The Pentagon announced Washington's intention to withdraw about five thousand American soldiers from Germany within a year, in a move that Berlin described on Saturday as "expected" and called on Europe to strengthen its security, while NATO will hold consultations with Washington "to clarify the details" of the decision.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement sent by his ministry to Agence France-Presse, "The withdrawal of American forces from Europe, and from Germany as well, was expected. We Europeans must bear greater responsibility for our security."

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US President Donald Trump had previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the German Chancellor's positions regarding the war with Iran. As efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict falter, the US President directs harsh criticism at his traditional European allies, accusing them of failing to support the war he launched against the Islamic Republic at the end of February.

A NATO spokeswoman said Saturday that the alliance is "working" with the United States "to clarify the details of its decision regarding military deployment in Germany." Washington intends to reduce its military presence in Germany by about 15% of its total forces of 36,000 soldiers, a withdrawal that the Pentagon believes can be completed within “the next six to 12 months,” according to its spokesman, Sean Parnell.

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Trump and Meretz disagreements

Trump's position targeting Germany, a NATO ally, came after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that "the Americans clearly lack a strategy" toward Iran, and that Tehran is "humilizing" the world's first superpower. Trump responded Tuesday that Meretz "believes it's acceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. He doesn't know what he's talking about." On Thursday, Meretz called for "a reliable partnership between the two sides of the Atlantic," without responding directly to Trump.

German cars in Trump's sights

On Friday, Trump indirectly targeted Germany and its large car exports, announcing his intention to raise customs duties on cars imported into the United States from the European Union to 25% “next week.” Trump accuses the European Union of not respecting the trade agreement reached last summer, although the process of ratifying this agreement has not yet been completed within the 27-nation bloc.

The European Union delegation in Washington commented, telling Agence France-Presse that the bloc “is implementing the commitments it has made” to Washington “in accordance with usual legislative procedures, while keeping the US government fully informed throughout the process.” The mission added that if the United States does not adhere to the terms of the agreement, “we will keep all options open to protect the interests of the European Union.”

The German auto industry will be severely affected by this measure, and the Republican president has accused Mercedes and BMW of "exploiting" Americans "for years."

The head of the German Automobile Industry Association, Hildegarde Müller, commented in a statement received by Agence France-Presse on Saturday that such additional US customs duties would cause “exorbitant costs to the German and European auto industry, which is already facing very difficult circumstances.” She urgently called on both parties to calm down and begin negotiations quickly.

American presence in Europe

Since the end of the Cold War, the US presence in Germany has declined significantly, but it remains a mainstay of German security policy, especially in light of the growing Russian threat since the invasion of Ukraine. Pistorius stressed that the American presence in the country remains “in the interest” of Germany and “in the interest of the United States,” because these forces constitute a “collective deterrence force.”

Democratic US Senator Jack Reed said, "Reducing our military presence in Europe at a time when Russian forces continue their desperate attack on Ukraine and harassing our NATO allies is a valuable gift to Vladimir Putin, and indicates that America's commitments to our allies depend on the president's mood."

In addition to Germany, Trump also said Thursday that he may withdraw his forces from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “Italy did not give us any help, and Spain was terrible, very terrible.” On December 31, 2025, the number of American forces in Italy reached 12,662 soldiers and 3,814 in Spain. As for Germany, the number was 36,436 soldiers.

The European Union confirmed Thursday that the presence of American forces in Europe “also serves the interests of the United States in its global operations.”

France 24/AFP

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