Trump-EU rift spurs Germany to boost military, add 75,000 soldiers

AdvertisementGermanyWorldEuropeTrump-EU rift spurs Germany to boost military, add 75,000 soldiers

The German defence minister said the US withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany was expected, spurring Europe to improve its defences against Russia

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ReutersPublished: 5:19pm, 2 May 2026

A planned drawdown of US troops from Germany should spur Europeans to strengthen its own defences further, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday, following the latest salvo from Washington against transatlantic ties.

The Pentagon announced on Friday that ‌the United States would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany, its largest European base, as a rift over the Iran war and tariff tensions place further strain on relations between the US and Europe.

Pistorius said the move was expected.

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Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces earlier this week after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has questioned Washington’s strategy in the Middle East.

Germany boosting military

Pistorius said ⁠the partial withdrawal would affect a current US presence of almost 40,000 soldiers stationed in Germany. Other estimates put ‌the active-duty troop presence at 35,000.

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