NATO and leading Republicans question US troop withdrawal from Germany

(Patria) - NATO said on Saturday it was working with the United States to understand Washington's decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, as the transatlantic rift deepens over the Middle East war, AFP reported last night.

The Pentagon's announcement of the troop withdrawal followed a dispute between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday that Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table.

The announcement also came after Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union would jump from 15 percent to 25 percent next week, accusing the bloc of not adhering to a trade agreement signed last summer.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on Friday that the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany is "expected to be completed within the next six to twelve months".

NATO said on Saturday that it is "working with the US to understand the details of their force posture decision in Germany".

"This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defense and take on a greater share of responsibility for our common security," NATO spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on social media X.

In Germany, NATO allies, as of December 31, 2025, there were 36,436 active US soldiers, compared to 12,662 in Italy and 3,814 in Spain.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday that the withdrawal of US troops "from Europe, and also from Germany, was expected".

Republicans' concern

The decision was met with skepticism by leading Republican lawmakers overseeing US military policy.

In a joint statement on Saturday, Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, chairmen of the Armed Services Committees in both houses of Congress, warned that withdrawing troops from Germany risks "sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin".

Although European allies are increasing defense spending, "translating those investments into the military capabilities needed to take primary responsibility for conventional deterrence will take time," they said.

They pointed out that Germany has heeded Trump's calls for increased defense spending and has allowed US aircraft to use German bases and airspace during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

'Why wouldn't I?'

Trump has threatened to reduce the number of US troops in Germany and other European allies during both of his terms in the White House, saying he wants Europe to take more responsibility for its defense, rather than depending on Washington.

He now appears determined to punish allies who have not supported the Middle East war or contributed to peacekeeping forces in the key Strait of Hormuz waterway, which the Iranians have effectively closed.

Trump said on Thursday that he might withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war in Iran.

"Italy has been of no help to us, and Spain has been terrible, absolutely terrible," he told reporters. "Yes, probably, probably I will. Why wouldn't I?" Trump said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Berlin is "ready" for a reduction in US troops and is "closely discussing it in a spirit of trust in all NATO bodies".

However, Wadephul said that large US bases in Germany are "not up for discussion at all" and cited Ramstein Air Base, which he said has an "irreplaceable function for the United States and for us equally".