Germany Announces Plan to Add 75,000 Soldiers Following US Troop Withdrawal

May 2, 2026

The United States plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, prompting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to announce plans to expand Germany's military by 75,000 soldiers. The withdrawal occurs amid escalating tensions between US President Donald Trump and European allies, with Trump calling NATO "a paper tiger and absolutely useless" and feuding with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Iran policy and defense spending. NATO members agreed at last year's Hague summit to boost defense spending to up to 5 percent of their budgets, more than doubling the previous 2 percent target. Former US diplomat Donald Jensen suggests the troop reduction reflects shifting US strategic priorities toward China rather than Russia as the primary threat.

US troop withdrawal from Germany and strategic realignment

▪The US Pentagon estimates the troop withdrawal process from Germany will unfold over the next six to 12 months.
▪NATO is assessing the details of the United States's decision to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany.
▪The United States plans to pull about 5,000 troops out of Germany over the next six to 12 months.
▪Former US diplomat Donald Jensen said the US troop reduction suggests changing US strategic objectives.

Escalating US-European tensions over Iran war policy

▪US President Donald Trump urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to stop interfering over Iran and spend more time fixing his broken country.
▪The US troop withdrawal from Germany comes as US President Donald Trump feuds with European allies for not doing more to assist in the US-Israel war against Iran.
▪US President Donald Trump called NATO a paper tiger and absolutely useless.

European response and increased defense spending commitments

▪German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany had anticipated a US troop drawback and that Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security.
▪During last year's NATO summit in The Hague, NATO members agreed to boost defence spending to up to 5 percent of their budgets.
▪The NATO defence spending target of up to 5 percent more than doubles the previous 2 percent target.