US Reportedly Plans to Cut Troops Stationed in Germany; Expert: Full Withdrawal Unlikely
Reports indicate the U.S. plans to reduce troops in Germany, but experts believe a full withdrawal is unlikely due to the deep integration of German military bases into global US operations.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 09:25
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 10:00 (35 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 10:31 (30 min after Collected)
Since the outbreak of the US-Iran war, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized some NATO member states for not supporting US military actions. The Wall Street Journal recently exclusively reported that the White House is considering withdrawing some US troops from Germany and other locations, redeploying them to European countries that are more supportive of the US, drawing attention.
Konstantinos Tsetsos, a scholar at the Bundeswehr University Munich, stated in an interview with German public broadcaster BR24 that German military bases are deeply embedded in the US military's global operational system, from strategic command and logistical supply to military training. A withdrawal is impractical and would not benefit the US itself.
Der Spiegel recalled that in 2020, during Trump's first term, he threatened to reduce approximately 12,000 US troops stationed in Germany, citing "Germany owes NATO billions of dollars," and planned to redeploy forces to countries like Poland.
This plan faced opposition from the military and Congress within the US at the time, who believed it would weaken the US military's global strategic deployment and deterrence capabilities against Russia. It was ultimately halted after the Biden administration took office.
Regarding the US's renewed consideration of adjusting its troop presence in Germany, the German government has responded cautiously. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he had spoken with Trump, but troop withdrawal or base usage issues were not discussed, emphasizing that the German-US troop agreement remains valid and Germany trusts that the US will abide by relevant regulations.
However, these remarks still sparked considerable backlash within Germany. Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the German Bundestag's Committee on European Affairs, criticized that the threat of withdrawal is undermining Europe's confidence in US security commitments and could also affect Russia's assessment of NATO's deterrence.
According to public information, approximately 36,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Germany, making it one of the largest US military deployment points in Europe. Including civilian personnel and family members, the total size can exceed 50,000 people, second only to Japan.
Among them, Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany is the most important US air transport hub in Europe, responsible for logistical supply and supporting operations in the Middle East and Africa. It is considered a gateway for US overseas operations and holds critical strategic importance.
Patch Barracks in Stuttgart houses the headquarters of the US European Command (EUCOM) and Africa Command (AFRICOM); Wiesbaden hosts the headquarters of the US Army Europe. Both are important overseas command centers.
Additionally, the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Bavaria is the largest US Army training base in Europe, regularly used for NATO joint exercises and troop rotations. (Editor: Chen Hui-Ping) 1150413
Konstantinos Tsetsos, a scholar at the Bundeswehr University Munich, stated in an interview with German public broadcaster BR24 that German military bases are deeply embedded in the US military's global operational system, from strategic command and logistical supply to military training. A withdrawal is impractical and would not benefit the US itself.
Der Spiegel recalled that in 2020, during Trump's first term, he threatened to reduce approximately 12,000 US troops stationed in Germany, citing "Germany owes NATO billions of dollars," and planned to redeploy forces to countries like Poland.
This plan faced opposition from the military and Congress within the US at the time, who believed it would weaken the US military's global strategic deployment and deterrence capabilities against Russia. It was ultimately halted after the Biden administration took office.
Regarding the US's renewed consideration of adjusting its troop presence in Germany, the German government has responded cautiously. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he had spoken with Trump, but troop withdrawal or base usage issues were not discussed, emphasizing that the German-US troop agreement remains valid and Germany trusts that the US will abide by relevant regulations.
However, these remarks still sparked considerable backlash within Germany. Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the German Bundestag's Committee on European Affairs, criticized that the threat of withdrawal is undermining Europe's confidence in US security commitments and could also affect Russia's assessment of NATO's deterrence.
According to public information, approximately 36,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Germany, making it one of the largest US military deployment points in Europe. Including civilian personnel and family members, the total size can exceed 50,000 people, second only to Japan.
Among them, Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany is the most important US air transport hub in Europe, responsible for logistical supply and supporting operations in the Middle East and Africa. It is considered a gateway for US overseas operations and holds critical strategic importance.
Patch Barracks in Stuttgart houses the headquarters of the US European Command (EUCOM) and Africa Command (AFRICOM); Wiesbaden hosts the headquarters of the US Army Europe. Both are important overseas command centers.
Additionally, the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Bavaria is the largest US Army training base in Europe, regularly used for NATO joint exercises and troop rotations. (Editor: Chen Hui-Ping) 1150413