Germany's defence minister has said the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from his country was "foreseeable", as the NATO military alliance says it is seeking clarification from Washington. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told DPA that American forces in Europe, and particularly Germany, are "in our interest and in the interest of the US". The withdrawal order came from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and is expected to be completed over six to twelve months.
The US currently has more than 36,000 active duty troops stationed in Germany — its largest military presence in Europe. By comparison, the US maintains about 12,000 troops in Italy and 10,000 in the UK. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US would "cut way down" beyond the announced 5,000 figure but provided no specifics. He has also suggested pulling forces from Italy and Spain.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics of the troop withdrawal argue it weakens NATO at a critical moment. They note that European allies have been increasing defence spending significantly in recent years, including Germany's commitment to reach 3.1% of GDP on defence — above NATO's longstanding 2% target. Critics suggest the timing of the announcement, coming after a diplomatic spat with Germany over Iran negotiations, signals that security decisions are being driven by personal grievances rather than strategic calculations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Saturday that "the greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance." NATO's Allison Hart said on X that the US decision "underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security." She noted progress since allies agreed at last year's Hague summit to target 5% of GDP.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative voices in Washington have expressed concern about reducing US presence in Germany. Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, who chair the Senate and House armed services committees respectively, issued a joint statement saying they were "very concerned by the decision." The two Republicans wrote: "Rather than withdrawing forces from the continent altogether, it is in the US interest to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe."
Trump has long criticised NATO allies for what he describes as insufficient defence spending. He previously called Germany "delinquent" for falling short of the 2% target. The administration has also pushed allies to participate in operations reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted traffic following US and Israeli strikes that began on 28 February.
What the Numbers Show
The US military presence in Germany totals more than 36,000 active duty troops — the largest American force in Europe. By comparison: Italy hosts approximately 12,000 US troops, and the UK houses about 10,000. The planned withdrawal of 5,000 represents roughly 14% of current German-based forces.
Germany is now projected to spend €105.8bn (£91bn) on defence in 2027, reaching 3.1% of GDP when including all defence-related spending such as continued aid to Ukraine. This marks a significant increase from previous years, when Germany fell below NATO's 2% target and faced repeated criticism from the Trump administration. Last year, Washington also reduced its troop presence in Romania as part of Trump's stated plan to shift US military focus toward the Indo-Pacific region.
The Bottom Line
The withdrawal announcement represents a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Berlin. Germany has moved quickly to position itself as a committed NATO ally, pointing to its increased defence spending as evidence that it is meeting alliance obligations. Pistorius said Europe must take greater responsibility for its security and that Berlin would work more closely with continental allies.
NATO's 32 member states are watching closely. The alliance has sought clarification from the US on the details of the decision. What remains unclear is whether additional withdrawals beyond the announced 5,000 will follow, given Trump's statement that cuts would go "way down" further. Watch for congressional hearings as Republican lawmakers who chair defence committees may seek to limit or delay the withdrawal through oversight mechanisms.