Germany news: US troop pullout 'expected' — Pistorius

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AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said the announced withdrawal of US troops from Germany "was to be expected" 
• The police union GdP has said at least 10 officers suffered slight injuries during May Day demos in Berlin
• "Timmy" the humpback whale has been set free in the North Sea

Here is a roundup of the latest stories from and about Germany on Saturday, May 2, 2026:

Skip next section READ: The significance of US military bases in Germany05/02/2026May 2, 2026

READ: The significance of US military bases in Germany

Thomas Latschan

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months.

While similar reductions have been threatened before, US bases in Germany remain strategically vital and economically important to some regions.

Find out where the 35,000 to 39,000 US soldiers, plus about 13,000 Air Force personnel, are currently stationed across Germany.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DA5tSkip next section Europe must do more for own security — PistoriusPublished 05/02/2026Published May 2, 2026last updated 05/02/2026last updated May 2, 2026

Europe must do more for own security — Pistorius

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said the pullout of troops from Germany announced by the Pentagon on Friday had been expected and that Europe has to do more for its own defense.

"That US troops are withdrawing from Europe and also from Germany was to be expected," Pistorius said.

"We Europeans must take on ‌more responsibility for our own security," Pistorius said, adding, "Germany is on the right track" ‌with the measures it has introduced to expand its armed forces, speed up military procurement and build infrastructure. b 

The Pentagon ⁠said that US would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany amid a growing rift with Berlin.

Among other things, US President Donald Trump has expressed anger at a remark made on Monday by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table.

Trump has accused Germany and Europe of doing too little to help the US in its war against Iran, which it says aims to stop Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DA09Skip next section READ: Pentagon announces troop pullout amid diplomatic row05/02/2026May 2, 2026

READ: Pentagon announces troop pullout amid diplomatic row

The US has announced it will pull out several thousand troops from Germany amid growing differences between Berlin and Washington on several issues.

Many observers say that the announced US withdrawal of troops from Germany goes against Washington's own military interests, as the bases in Europe have served to support American military actions taking place well beyond US borders.

However, the Pentagon decision also means that a long-range ​fires battalion that was due to be deployed later this year will be canceled, dealing a blow to Berlin's hopes that it would provide deterrence against Russia until Europe develops its own long-range missiles.

You can read more about the rift that led to the Pentagon's announcement and the reaction from Germany and Europe in this article: US to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DA0RSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/02/2026May 2, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Timothy Jones | Louis Oelofse Editor

The DW newsroom in Bonn wishes guten Tag to all those using the services of Germany's international news service. 

You join us as the Pentagon has just announced that thousands of US troops will be departing Germany amid a diplomatic spat between Washington and Berlin.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has downplayed the effects of the planned move, saying it was "expected," but we will be looking into what it means for Germany and Europe.

And you can also read the latest on a story that has been hitting the headlines in Germany and abroad over the past few weeks: "Timmy," a humpback whale that was stranded in northern Germany for weeks, is now swimming free in the North Sea.

Police have also given their assessment of rallies held on May 1, or International Workers’ Day.

You can read more about these and other stories in our blog on Saturday, May 2.

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