Washington: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American troops from Germany, as confirmed by the Pentagon. This development comes just days after President Donald Trump indicated that his administration was evaluating a reduction of military presence in the allied nation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the plan for the troop drawdown, which is projected to be executed over the next six to twelve months. "The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany," Parnell stated, attributing the decision to a comprehensive review of the department's force posture in Europe and the current conditions on the ground.
The decision follows recent tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Earlier this week, during a meeting with students, Merz remarked that the Iranian leadership is "humiliating" the U.S. and criticized Washington's strategy in negotiations with Tehran. President Trump responded on Truth Social, accusing the German chancellor of endorsing Iran's nuclear ambitions and lacking understanding of the situation.
The troop withdrawal aligns with Trump's ongoing dissatisfaction with NATO members, who he criticized for not supporting his call for naval assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. In his remarks, Trump labeled NATO members as "cowards" and warned that the U.S. would remember their reluctance in supporting military actions against Iran.
Additionally, Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea, criticizing it for not being "helpful" to the U.S. despite the American military presence in the region as a deterrent against North Korean threats. Currently, about 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, contributing to the security alliance between Seoul and Washington. Discussions on modernizing this alliance could potentially lead to adjustments in the U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula, though a Pentagon official refrained from commenting on such changes, reaffirming the U.S.'s defense commitment to South Korea.