NATO is working with the United States to understand the details of the decision to withdraw approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany over the next year.

Pentagon Order. The Pentagon announced the withdrawal on May 1, 2026, directing that the process be completed within six to twelve months . A senior official linked the decision directly to recent comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, calling them “inappropriate and unhelpful” and stating that “the president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks” .

NATO Confirmation. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the alliance is consulting with the U.S. to understand the rationale behind the change. Hart noted that the move “underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security” .

German Response. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the withdrawal was “to be expected” and reiterated that “we Europeans must take greater responsibility for our security” . German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul added that Berlin was “prepared” for adjustments but stressed that key U.S. bases in the country are “not up for discussion at all” .

Troop Context. Approximately 35,000–36,000 active-duty U.S. troops are currently stationed in Germany, representing the largest concentration of American forces in Europe . The withdrawal is part of a broader review of the U.S. military presence on the continent and follows similar threats regarding forces in Italy and Spain .

Strategic Rationale. The Pentagon framed the reduction as a return to pre-2022 force levels, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine prompted a U.S. military buildup under then-President Joe Biden . A brigade combat team will be pulled out of Germany, and a planned long-range fires battalion will no longer deploy .