US to reduce troop levels in Germany by 5,500 amid Trump spats with Merz2h agoMax MatzaGetty imagesThe US Defence Department is planning to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany amid a spat that has broken out between President Donald Trump, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the war with Iran. The US has a significant military presence in Germany, with more than 36,000 active duty troops assigned to bases across the country as of last December. Boris Pistorius, the German Defence Minister, told the German Press Agency that “the presence” of American soldiers was in both the US and Germany’s interest. He also made it clear that this decision did not surprise him. Trump has also suggested that US troops be pulled from Italy and Spain. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that the order regarding US troops in Germany came from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. “This decision is the result of a thorough review by the Department of Forces in Europe, and it is in recognition of the theatre requirements and conditions in the field,” he said. “We expect that the withdrawal will be completed within the next six to 12 months. “Trump has been a vocal critic of Nato and its allies for refusing to take part in operations to reopen Strait of Hormuz. Trump tells Congress he doesn’t need their approval for Iran WarAsked Thursday if he would also consider removing US troops from Italy or Spain, Trump responded, “I probably will. Look, why wouldn’t I?” “Italy and Spain have been terrible,” he said, criticizing their response to the Iran war. “In every case, they said ‘I don’t want to get into it.’ Merz told students at a university earlier this week that the “Americans clearly have no strategy”. He could not see what “strategic exit” they would choose. “The Iranians have shown themselves to be very adept at negotiating or, rather, very skilful in not negotiating. They let the Americans travel to Islamabad, and then leave without any result,” said he. He added that the “entire country” was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership.” In response, Trump took his platform Truth Social and said Merz believed it was “OK” for Iran to possess a Nuclear Weapon and “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”. “No wonder Germany does so poorly, both economically and otherwise!” The BBC has contacted Germany’s embassy in Washington to get a comment. The US military deployment in Germany, which is the largest in Europe with 12,000 troops in Italy, and another 10,000 in the UK. Many of them are stationed in the Ramstein Air Base, outside the south-western German town of Kaiserslautern. Trump has proposed US troop reductions, but so far they have not been implemented. Only Japan hosts a greater US troop presence. The Merz government has changed that dramatically. Germany is projected to spend EUR105.8bn (PS91bn) in 2027 – with total defence expenditure next year set to reach 3.1% of GDP. The situation has changed dramatically since the Merz government took office. Germany is expected to spend EUR105.8bn in 2027, with total defence spending next year reaching 3.1% of GDP.
