US to Cut 5,000 Troops from Germany as Trump Criticises Chancellor Merz
The United States Department of Defence has confirmed the planned withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. This directive, originating from Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, follows President Donald Trump's public denunciation of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
President Trump's criticism surfaced after Chancellor Merz suggested that the US had been 'humiliated' by Iranian negotiators in the context of the recent conflict. The US and Israel initiated wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, killing Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of civilians, including 110 children at an Iranian primary school.
In social media posts, Mr Trump accused Chancellor Merz of 'doing a terrible job' and exhibiting 'problems of all kinds', specifically citing immigration and energy policies. The US maintains a significant military footprint in Germany, with over 36,000 active-duty personnel stationed across various bases, including Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the decision was a result of 'a thorough review of the Department's force posture in Europe' and acknowledged 'theatre requirements and conditions on the ground'. The withdrawal process is projected to conclude within the next six to twelve months.
Mr Trump, a long-standing critic of the NATO alliance, has previously threatened to reduce US troop deployments in Europe. He has also indicated potential withdrawals from Italy and Spain, claiming these NATO allies have not provided sufficient assistance in the ongoing conflict with Iran. This move continues a pattern of the US leveraging its military presence as a tool of diplomatic pressure, particularly against allies perceived as not fully aligning with Washington's strategic objectives, which often centre on securing oil and gas interests and underwriting the petrodollar system.
