US withdraws 5,000 troops from Germany after Merz claims US has been “humiliated” by Iran. “A priceless gift for Vladimir Putin”
The US is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as US President Donald Trump also threatened Italy and Spain for not helping to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the Middle East war began, The Guardian, Sky News and Reuters report.
The White House leader's decision to reduce the number of troops stationed in Germany came after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US had been “humiliated” by Iran.
Trump had already threatened to withdraw US troops from the country after the Berlin official's claims.
German rhetoric 'inadequate and counterproductive'
A senior Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the German rhetoric of late had been “inadequate and counterproductive.”
While efforts to reach a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Iran are at a standstill, the American president is attacking his traditional European allies, whom he blames for their lack of support in the offensive launched at the end of February against the Islamic Republic, AFP notes.
After announcing he would raise tariffs targeting the European Union's auto industry, his government indicated it was considering a withdrawal, which corresponds to about 15 percent of the roughly 36,000 US troops stationed in Germany.
In Germany it is the largest US military base in Europe and serves as a key training center.
“We expect the withdrawal to be completed in the next six to twelve months,” Ministry of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell estimated in a statement.
What Merz said
The German leader said on Monday that “the Americans apparently have no strategy” in Iran and that Tehran is “humiliating” the world's number one power.
“He thinks it's OK for Iran to get nuclear weapons. He doesn't know what he's talking about!” Donald Trump shot back on Tuesday.
Without answering directly, Friedrich Merz called on Thursday for “a reliable transatlantic partnership”.
EU car taxes
Trump also indirectly attacked Germany and its major auto exports on Friday, announcing that he wants to raise tariffs on vehicles imported into the United States from the European Union to 25 percent “next week.”
He accuses the EU of not respecting the trade agreement concluded last summer, while the process of validating this agreement has not yet been completed within the bloc of 27 member states.
The Union is “implementing its commitments” to Washington “in accordance with usual legislative practices, keeping the US government fully informed throughout the process”, its delegation in Washington reacted, requested by AFP.
If the United States does not live up to its side of the deal, she added, “we will keep all options open to protect EU interests.”
Mercedes and BMW “robbed” Americans
The German auto industry would be seriously affected by this measure, and the Republican accused, moreover, the manufacturers Mercedes and BMW of having “robbed” the Americans “for years”.
Donald Trump is particularly unhappy with the fact that the European allies of the United States are reluctant to contribute logistically or militarily to the Israeli-American offensive against Iran or to secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which is practically blocked by Tehran.
In general, during his two terms, the Republican president has increased his criticism of European countries for what he sees as a lack of commitment in their own defense, as well as of NATO, which he accuses of being overly dependent on American military protection.
“A priceless gift for Vladimir Putin”
Since the end of the Cold War, the American presence in Germany has been considerably reduced, but it remains a pillar of Germany's security policy, especially in the context of the Russian threat, especially after the invasion of Ukraine.
It also represents thousands of jobs and contracts for a struggling German economy.
According to the US Department of Defense's Military Personnel Data Center, at the end of last year the US military had 68,000 active duty soldiers stationed permanently at its bases in Europe.
“Reducing our military presence in Europe at a time when Russian forces continue to relentlessly attack Ukraine and harass our NATO allies is a priceless gift to Vladimir Putin and suggests that America's commitments to our allies depend on the president's mood,” denounced Democratic Senator Jack Reed.
Defense analysts, opposition Democrats and even some members of Trump's own Republican party see a strong US military presence in Europe as a vital part of the country's global military influence, and major troop withdrawals or base closures, particularly in Germany, could end up costing billions of dollars and significantly reducing Washington's ability to conduct operations around the world.
“Continued attacks on NATO allies … hurts Americans,” Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, posted on social media late Thursday. “The two big airfields in Germany give us excellent access to three continents. We're shooting ourselves in the foot,” Bacon said.
Threats to Italy and Spain
In addition to Germany, Donald Trump said Thursday that he is also considering a reduction in US forces in Italy and Spain, also amid the Iran war.
“Italy was no help at all and Spain was abhorrent, absolutely abhorrent,” he said.
At the end of 2025, Italy had 12,662 US troops on active duty, and Spain 3,814, according to an official tally.
The European Union stressed on Thursday that the presence of American troops in Europe “also serves the interests of the United States in its action on a global scale.”
In early April, Trump said he was “without question” considering withdrawing from NATO over the European allies' refusal to participate in the war against Iran and help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
A US withdrawal would be catastrophic for European security, but is considered unlikely because of US legislation passed in 2024 that prohibits a president from leaving NATO without a two-thirds majority in the Senate or a resolution of Congress.
