Khaberni - The Pentagon announced on Friday the withdrawal of about 5,000 American soldiers from Germany within a year, in a move that comes after President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure with the German Chancellor regarding his country's stance on the Iran war.
With efforts to reach a negotiated settlement of the conflict stalling, the American president is sharply criticizing his traditional European allies, accusing them of failing to support the war he launched against the Islamic Republic at the end of February.
After the European Union threatened to impose tariffs on cars, the Trump administration indicated that it intends to withdraw about 15% of the American forces stationed in Germany, totaling about 36,000 soldiers.
Sean Barnell, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated in a declaration, "We expect the withdrawal process to be completed within the next six to twelve months."
Donald Trump had raised the possibility of reducing the U.S. military forces stationed in Germany, a NATO member, following statements made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The German Chancellor stated on Monday that "the Americans clearly lack a strategy" toward Iran, and that Tehran "humiliates" the world's greatest superpower.
Trump responded on Tuesday by saying that Merz "thinks it is acceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
Merz called on Thursday for a "reliable partnership across the Atlantic," without directly responding to Trump.
- German cars -
Donald Trump indirectly targeted Germany and its large car exports on Friday, announcing his intent to raise customs duties on cars imported to the United States from the European Union to 25% "next week."
Trump accuses the European Union of not respecting the trade agreement reached last summer, although the ratification of this agreement has not yet been completed within the 27-country bloc.
The European Union mission in Washington commented to Agence France-Presse stating that the Union "is fulfilling the commitments it made" to Washington "according to the usual legislative procedures, keeping the U.S. government fully informed throughout the process."
The mission added that if the United States does not comply with the terms of the agreement, "we will keep all options open to protect the interests of the European Union."
The German automobile industry will be severely impacted by this measure, and the Republican president has accused companies "Mercedes" and "BMW" of "exploiting" Americans "for years."
Donald Trump strongly criticizes European allies of the United States for their hesitation in providing logistical or military support for the American-Israeli attack on Iran or for securing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran almost controls.
On a broader scale, throughout his presidency, the Republican president has repeatedly criticized European countries for what he considers a lack of commitment to defending themselves and NATO, which he accuses of overly relying on American military protection.
"Extremely terrible"
Since the end of the Cold War, the American presence in Germany has significantly decreased, but it still remains a fundamental pillar of German security policy, especially in light of the growing Russian threat since the attack on Ukraine.
This American presence also provides thousands of jobs and contracts for the struggling German economy.
Jack Reed, a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate, said that "reducing our military presence in Europe at a time when Russian forces continue their desperate attack on Ukraine and harass our NATO allies, is a precious gift to Vladimir Putin, and indicates that America's commitments to our allies are contingent on the president's mood."
Alongside Germany, Trump also stated on Thursday that he might withdraw his forces from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war, telling reporters in the Oval Office, "Italy did not offer us any help, and Spain was terrible, extremely terrible."
As of December 31, 2025, the number of American troops in Italy was 12,662 and in Spain 3,814. In Germany, the number was 36,436.
The European Union confirmed on Thursday that the presence of American forces in Europe "also serves the interests of the United States in its global operations."
