President Trump directed removal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, eliminating a combat brigade and a long‑range missile battalion.
Withdrawal, to be completed within six to twelve months, will bring U.S. troop levels on the continent back to 2022 levels.
The forces will be reallocated to the Western Hemisphere and Indo‑Pacific, while Germany retains key bases like Ramstein and Landstuhl.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of U.S. Iran strategy prompted the drawdown, amid broader U.S. pressure on NATO allies.