Trump says US reviewing possible reduction of troops in Germany
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration was "studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany."
A "determination" would be made "over the next short period of time," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The announcement followed Trump's sharp criticism of Friedrich Merz after the German chancellor publicly criticized the U.S. offensive against Iran.
Merz "doesn't know what he's talking about," Trump wrote of the German leader on Tuesday. It was no wonder "Germany is doing so badly, both economically and in other respects!" Trump added.
He also accused Merz of being comfortable with Iran having nuclear weapons.
Speaking in Berlin on Wednesday, Merz said that his relationship with Trump "remains – at least from my point of view – as good as ever." "We are still having constructive discussions with one another."
Trump had already threatened to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany during his first term from 2017 to 2021.
According to U.S. military figures from mid-April, around 86,000 U.S. soldiers are currently stationed in Europe, including around 39,000 in Germany. The number changes regularly, partly because of rotations and military exercises.
Trump assured Merz in March: US forces to remain in Germany
In March, Merz said Trump had assured him that the U.S. wanted to maintain its troop presence in Germany. "This is good news, but I didn't expect anything different," the chancellor said in Washington after a meeting with Trump.
In light of Trump's critical stance towards Europe, there had been speculation lately that he might withdraw U.S. troops from Germany. Whether the U.S. president has promised that the U.S. contingent will remain at its current level, Merz did not say.
For decades, there have been dozens of major U.S. military bases in Europe that are of enormous importance to U.S. operations around the world, including in the Middle East. Troops, weapons, ships and aircraft are stationed there, drones are controlled from the bases and wounded personnel are treated.
In Germany, these include the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) in Stuttgart and Ramstein Air Base in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which serves as a hub for the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. also maintains important bases in Italy and the United Kingdom.
The U.S. Congress passed a security mechanism at the end of 2025 under which the total number of forces permanently stationed in the European Command area of responsibility may not fall below 76,000 for more than 45 days. After that, certain reporting requirements would have to be met to pursue a reduction.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 9:37 PM.