The Pentagon has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, escalating a diplomatic spat between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran conflict.
Merz had described the US as being "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators, prompting Trump to attack him on social media as "doing a terrible job." The US president also threatened to reduce troop levels in Italy and Spain, criticizing them for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the withdrawal follows a review of force posture in Europe, with the reduction expected to be completed within six to twelve months. Approximately 36,000 active-duty US troops remain stationed in Germany.
Trump, a long-time critic of NATO, accused Merz of thinking it was "OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon" and said Germany is "doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise."
Previous proposals to reduce US forces in Germany—such as a 2020 plan to move 12,000 troops—were blocked by Congress and reversed by President Joe Biden. The current reduction comes despite Germany now planning to spend €105.8 billion on defense by 2027, reaching 3.1% of GDP.
The decision has drawn criticism from some Republicans in Congress and concern from Eastern European allies wary of Russia.