US President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops stationed in Germany. However, significant challenges are expected before implementation, given hurdles including congressional legislation, NATO command authority, and the absence of alternative bases.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing a US Defense Department announcement, that the withdrawal will be completed within the next 6 to 12 months. Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said the move was "part of a review of troop deployments in Europe."
Earlier on June 29, Trump said on Truth Social that "the United States is considering the possibility of reducing US troops stationed in Germany," adding that "a final decision will be made soon."
Trump's decision was triggered by a clash with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. On June 27, Merz criticized the Trump administration's war strategy, saying "the United States is being humiliated by Iran."
Trump immediately fired back, saying, "He has no idea what he's talking about!" and adding that "it is no wonder Germany is doing poorly both economically and otherwise." Trump also claimed that Merz was defending Iran's nuclear weapons development. However, Reuters noted that Merz had never made such remarks.
Still, Trump's order faces four major barriers before it can be implemented.
◇ Barrier 1: Congressional Budget Bill
Late last year, the US Congress passed a bill prohibiting the use of budget funds to reduce permanent US troop deployments under European Command to below 76,000. Even with a presidential order, budget execution is only possible at least 60 days after independent reports from the defense secretary and the European Command commander are submitted to Congress.
◇ Barrier 2: NATO Command Authority
US troops in Germany form a core pillar of NATO's defense. Christopher Cavoli, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, told Congress in 2025 that "maintaining the current force posture is desirable." Giving up the NATO supreme commander post, he warned, could create a vacuum in nuclear command authority and put US troops under non-American command.
◇ Barrier 3: Absence of Alternative Bases
Of the 86,000 US troops currently stationed in Europe, about 39,000 are in Germany. Ramstein Air Base, the European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center — the largest US military hospital outside the United States — are all concentrated in Germany. Ramstein Air Base is also being used in the current war with Iran. Poland and Romania have been mentioned as alternatives, but building the necessary infrastructure is expected to take years.
◇ Barrier 4: Failure in First Term
In July 2020, Trump also ordered the withdrawal of 12,000 US troops from Germany. However, congressional opposition prevented completion within his term, and the Joe Biden administration canceled the plan. Berliner Morgenpost analyzed that "the blow to US response capabilities is more serious than the impact on Germany."
