US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States is reviewing a possible reduction of American troops stationed in Germany, saying a decision will be made in the near term. The statement comes amid a public disagreement with German Chancellor‑in‑waiting Friedrich Merz over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
In 2020, near the end of his first term, Trump had proposed withdrawing roughly 12,000 of the about 36,000 U.S. service members then based in Germany. The Biden administration later increased the U.S. presence, citing the war in Ukraine. According to CBS, more than 36,000 active‑duty troops and 1,500 reservists are currently deployed across German bases.
Trump has criticized European allies for not supporting the U.S.–Israeli response to Iran and for refusing to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed to “hostile” shipping in February. The dispute has also led him to revive his long‑standing criticism of NATO, which he described this month as “a paper tiger.”
During a visit to a German school on Monday, Merz accused the United States of being “humiliated” by Iran and said the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for the conflict. He also highlighted the impact of rising energy prices on Germany, which he linked to the war.
In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and otherwise!” Merz sought to downplay the exchange, stating that his personal relationship with the president “remains good.” He added that he had “doubts from the start about what was begun with the war in Iran,” a sentiment reported by Reuters.
The diplomatic tension coincides with oil prices rising above $120 per barrel, the highest level since 2022, as uncertainty persists over the prospects for U.S.–Iran negotiations.
The potential troop reduction, if confirmed, would mark the latest shift in the U.S. military footprint in Europe and could affect NATO dynamics and Germany’s security posture, while broader geopolitical tensions continue to influence global energy markets.
