The German government has downplayed the Pentagon’s announcement that it will pull 5,000 U.S. troops out of Germany, calling the move “foreseeable” in light of a growing public feud between President Donald Trump and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The decision, which was made public on May 1, 2026, came after a week of heated arguments that started when Merz said that Iran is “humiliating” the United States and that there is no good way for the US to get out of the conflict. Trump hit back by saying that Merz didn’t care about a nuclear-armed Tehran and quickly called for a review of the military’s readiness. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Berlin was already “prepared” for the drawdown, stressing that while both countries still want the U.S. to be there, Europe needs to step up its efforts to take more responsibility for its own regional security.
The withdrawal is about 14% of the 35,000 U.S. service members who are currently stationed in Germany, which is the largest American base in Europe. The Pentagon thinks the pullout will be done in the next six to twelve months. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told the public that strategic hubs like the Ramstein Air Base and the U.S. military headquarters in Stuttgart are unlikely to be left behind. But the diplomatic fallout goes beyond military logistics. Trump has also threatened to raise tariffs on European car exports to 25%, saying that Germany has not followed through on previous trade agreements. As the fight over the Iran war gets worse, NATO’s “spirit of trust” is being tested by a White House that seems more and more willing to use its military presence to pressure European critics of its Middle East policy.