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2w ago

Trump Launches Review to Cut U.S. Troops in Germany After Clash With Merz

Practical limits and treaty politics could check any rapid move.

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GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY - MARCH 13: A Mildred Robotics THeMIS UGV stands next U.S. Army soldiers prior to a demonstration of capabilities at the xTech Edge Strike: Ground robotics technology evaluation of the U.S. Army at the Grafenwoehr training grounds on March 13, 2026 near Grafenwoehr, Germany. The U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment has been hosting the competition, in which soldiers have been testing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) from a variety of manufacturers in realistic scenarios since March 3 to assess future procurement options of ground-based drones for the U.S. Army. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • President Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social that the U.S. is studying a possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a decision to follow in a short period.
  • The review follows a public dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the U.S. was being humiliated by Iran, and Trump posted new criticisms of Merz on Thursday.
  • German officials signaled they are prepared for fewer U.S. troops and said the issue is being discussed in NATO forums, even as Berlin stresses its commitment to the alliance.
  • Roughly 36,000 to 40,000 U.S. service members are based in Germany, which hosts Ramstein Air Base, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and the Landstuhl medical center that underpin operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
  • Congress set a floor in December that blocks U.S. forces in Europe from dropping below 76,000 for more than 45 days, and analysts expect any large pullback to be unlikely while the Iran war continues, with a former U.S. Army Europe commander warning cuts could hurt U.S. defense and communities around bases like Ramstein.