WASHINGTON (AFP) — NATO said on Saturday it was working with the United States to understand Washington’s decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany as a rift in transatlantic ties deepens over the Middle East war.
The Pentagon’s announcement of the troop withdrawal follows a spat between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table. Trump fired back by saying that Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
It also came as Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union will increase to 25 percent next week over accusations that the bloc did not comply with a trade deal signed last summer.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Friday the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany was expected “to be completed over the next six to twelve months.”
“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Parnell said in a statement.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
There were 36,436 active-duty US troops in NATO ally Germany as of December 31, 2025, compared to 12,662 in Italy and 3,814 in Spain.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz giving a statement during his visit to the army at the Bundeswehr base in Munster, Germany, April, 30, 2026. (Markus Schreiber/AP)
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday the US troop withdrawal “from Europe and also from Germany was to be expected.”
NATO said it was “working with the US to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany.”
“This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defense and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security,” NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart wrote on social media platform X.
‘Why shouldn’t I?’
Trump has made a number of threats to slash US troop numbers in Germany and other European allies during both his terms in office, saying he wants Europe to take on greater responsibility for its defense rather than depending on Washington.
He now appears determined to punish allies who have failed to back the Middle East war or contribute to a peacekeeping force in the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway, which Tehran’s forces have effectively closed.
Trump also accused German automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW of ripping off Americans, saying on Friday that Germany and “other European nations have not adhered to our trade deal.”
Germany would likely be hit hard by a sharp vehicle tariff because it is responsible for a significant portion of EU auto exports.
Trump said on Thursday he might pull US troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war. “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
US President Donald Trump, right, meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a meeting on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. (AP/Evan Vucci)
“Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn’t I?” Trump said.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday during a visit to Morocco that Germany was “prepared” for a reduction in US troops and was “discussing it closely and in a spirit of trust in all NATO bodies.”
However, Wadephul said large American bases in Germany are “not up for discussion at all” and cited the example of Ramstein Air Base, which he said has “an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us alike.”
Ukraine support
The EU said on Thursday the deployment of US troops in Europe was in Washington’s interest, and that the US was “a vital partner in contributing to Europe’s security and defense.”
Trump, however, took aim at Merz again, telling him to focus on ending the Ukraine war instead of “interfering” on Iran.
European powers have been on alert since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. A spate of drone incursions in the past year, as well as US promises to move away from defending the continent, have pushed the issue to the top of the agenda.
Merz has made national security a priority, announcing unprecedented investments in an army that has been underfunded and under-equipped for decades. He has also reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Which gorgeous bird do you prefer?
THIS MONTH ONLY: Join our reader support group for as little as $6/month and receive an exclusive tote bag featuring one of Israel’s native birds.
Choose between the Duchifat (yellow), Israel’s national bird, or the Shaldag (blue), a beloved symbol of the Israeli landscape.
As a member of the Times of Israel Community, you’ll also enjoy:
An ad-free experience of our site and podcasts.
Exclusive access to award-winning films via DocuNation.
Weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
Join ToI Community & claim my bag
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You appreciate our wartime journalism
You clearly find our careful reporting of the Iran war valuable, at a time when facts are often distorted and news coverage often lacks context.
Your support is essential to continue our work. We want to continue delivering the professional journalism you value, even as the demands on our newsroom have grown dramatically during this ongoing conflict.
So today, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you’ll become our partners while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this