Trump's Proposed German Troop Reduction Raises Concerns from US House and Senate Armed Services Chairs

Central News Agency (CNA)

(Washington, May 2, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The US Pentagon recently announced that it will reduce 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, a NATO ally. The Republican chairs of the US Senate and House Armed Services Committees today expressed concern about this decision.

According to Reuters, US Senator Roger Wicker and US Representative Mike Rogers stated in a joint statement: "We are deeply concerned about the decision to withdraw an American military brigade from Germany." These two individuals serve as the chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, respectively.

The Pentagon previously announced this troop reduction plan, which is expected to be completed within the next 6 to 12 months.

Wicker and Rogers mentioned that any major changes to US military deployment in Europe must be reviewed and coordinated with Congress and US allies.

Their statement read: "We expect the Department of War (Pentagon) to communicate with relevant oversight committees in Congress in the coming days and weeks regarding this decision and its impact on US deterrence capabilities and transatlantic security."

The two also stated in their statement that even if NATO allies increase defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), building sufficient conventional deterrence capabilities still takes time. Prematurely reducing US military deployment in Europe "could erode deterrence and send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin." (Compiled by: Hong Peiying) 1150503