Trump says he will slash US troops in Germany; German Defense Minister: Europe should be responsible for its own security
U.S. President Trump announced a significant reduction of US troops stationed in Germany, citing growing transatlantic divisions over the Middle East war. The German Defense Minister emphasized Europe's need to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 10:28
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, West Palm Beach, 2nd, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. President Trump stated today that due to the growing transatlantic divisions caused by the Middle East war, the United States will "significantly reduce" the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany.
Agence France-Presse reported that Trump said: "We will significantly reduce, and the number of reductions will far exceed 5,000 people." He was referring to Washington's decision on the number of troops to be withdrawn from Germany. As of December 31, 2025, there are a total of 36,436 active U.S. troops stationed in Germany.
Reuters reported that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the U.S. plan to cut 5,000 soldiers from Germany should prompt Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. However, two senior U.S. Republican lawmakers expressed concern, believing that these troops should not leave Europe.
This move also scuttles the Biden administration's plan to deploy a U.S. battalion-level unit equipped with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany, which is a blow to Germany, as Berlin has always considered this plan a powerful deterrent against Russia.
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers expressed "deep concern." They believe these troops should not leave Europe but should move eastward.
In a joint statement, the two said: "Prematurely reducing the U.S. forward deployment in Europe before relevant capabilities are fully in place could weaken deterrence, potentially erode deterrence, and send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
Pistorius stated that this troop reduction was expected and will affect the nearly 40,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Germany.
He said: "We Europeans must take more responsibility for our own security." He added that "Germany is moving in the right direction," including expanding its military, accelerating arms procurement, and building infrastructure. (Compiled by Chen Yuting) 1150503
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(Central News Agency, West Palm Beach, 2nd, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. President Trump stated today that due to the growing transatlantic divisions caused by the Middle East war, the United States will "significantly reduce" the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany.
Agence France-Presse reported that Trump said: "We will significantly reduce, and the number of reductions will far exceed 5,000 people." He was referring to Washington's decision on the number of troops to be withdrawn from Germany. As of December 31, 2025, there are a total of 36,436 active U.S. troops stationed in Germany.
Reuters reported that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the U.S. plan to cut 5,000 soldiers from Germany should prompt Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. However, two senior U.S. Republican lawmakers expressed concern, believing that these troops should not leave Europe.
This move also scuttles the Biden administration's plan to deploy a U.S. battalion-level unit equipped with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany, which is a blow to Germany, as Berlin has always considered this plan a powerful deterrent against Russia.
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers expressed "deep concern." They believe these troops should not leave Europe but should move eastward.
In a joint statement, the two said: "Prematurely reducing the U.S. forward deployment in Europe before relevant capabilities are fully in place could weaken deterrence, potentially erode deterrence, and send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
Pistorius stated that this troop reduction was expected and will affect the nearly 40,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Germany.
He said: "We Europeans must take more responsibility for our own security." He added that "Germany is moving in the right direction," including expanding its military, accelerating arms procurement, and building infrastructure. (Compiled by Chen Yuting) 1150503
Stand with the facts. Your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the "First-hand News" APP from the Central News Agency to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.