US President Donald Trump launched a new attack on German Chancellor Friedrixh Merz this Thursday, April 30, after threatening to reduce US troops in Germany. Berlin responds that it is prepared to talk about a reduction in Washington's forces, but that a major withdrawal is not in question. Why does the United States have military bases on German territory? Will Trump follow through on his threat? We address it.
First modification: 04/30/2026 - 19:21 Last modification: 04/30/2026 - 20:38
Donald Trump is again threatening to withdraw US troops from Germany, a key NATO ally and the European Union's largest economy. But Europeans have heard that warning before.
This Thursday, April 30, the leader of the White House again attacked the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, whom he asked not to "interfere" in matters related to the war in Iran and accused him of being "inefficient" in resolving the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The German Chancellor should spend more time ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (where it has been totally ineffective!) and solving his country's problems, especially immigration and energy, and less time interfering with those who are eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat, thus making the world, including Germany, a safer place!”, the American president published on his Truth Social platform.
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The reason for Trump's new bout of anger? The threats from the current tenant of the White House came after Merz declared this week that the United States was being "humiliated" by Tehran in the negotiations to end the war, launched by Israel and Washington against the Islamic Republic on February 28 and now under a fragile truce.
Trump's new attack came after threatening to withdraw US troops from Germany and after repeatedly criticizing NATO for its refusal to help Washington in the conflict that began two months ago. True to his style, Trump made the new warning on his social networks.
"The United States is studying and analyzing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, and a decision will be made in the coming months," he said in a publication on Wednesday, April 29.
Also read Trump vs. Merz: from “a nation humiliated by the Iranian leadership” to “it doesn't know what it's talking about”
How does Germany respond to Trump's new threat?
During his visit to Morocco, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said his government is prepared to talk with Washington about a reduction in US troops, but that a major withdrawal is not in question.
In any case, Wadephul insisted that Germany is prepared for any decision by the United States, amid threats from Donald Trump and harsh criticism of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“We are prepared for it, we are discussing it carefully and in a spirit of trust in all NATO bodies and we await decisions from the Americans on the matter,” declared the German minister, quoted by AFP.
Any such decision “would be discussed with us and others, as appropriate among allies,” he added.
Although he was “calm” about the idea of a reduction in the number of US troops on German territory, Wadephul declared that the large US bases in the European country “are not under discussion at all” and added, for example, that the Ramstein air base has “an irreplaceable function for both the United States and us.”
Merz, who visited troops Thursday at a military training camp in Münster, northern Germany, did not directly address Trump's comments but alluded to working "side by side for mutual benefit and in deep transatlantic solidarity," and said his government has "made great efforts to strengthen Germany's security."
Also read Trump vs. NATO: How the war in Iran deepens the gaps with the alliance and European nationalists
Is Europe ready for a US troop withdrawal?
The volatile American leader has been considering reducing the American military presence in Germany for years, and his reproaches and threats have escalated since NATO allies refused to help him attack Iran.
Leaders such as the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, have insisted that this is a conflict that Trump decided to undertake together with Israel without consulting the allies of the transatlantic alliance.
But America's NATO partners have been preparing for a US troop withdrawal since shortly after the Trump Administration took office. A more latent possibility when Washington warned that Europe would have to ensure its own security, and that of Ukraine, in the future.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the US news agency AP, said Europe and Germany, which recently announced its new military strategy, are taking on greater responsibility for security on the continent.
The source added that, for now, any conversation between the United States and Germany or other allies about the possibility of reducing Washington's forces in German territory is unknown.
Depending on operations, exercises and troop rotations, between 80,000 and 100,000 US military personnel are typically stationed in Europe. NATO allies had hoped for more than a year that US troops deployed after the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022 would be the first to withdraw.
Germany is home to several U.S. military installations, including the headquarters of its European and African commands, the Ramstein air base and a medical center in Landstuhl, where the wounded from U.S. wars in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq were treated. There are also American nuclear missiles stationed in Germany.
Also read EE. The US is considering removing Spain from NATO and reviewing its position on the Malvinas: political declaration or possible measure?
Will Trump follow through on his threat?
Ed Arnold, a European security expert at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said the United States gains many benefits from its presence in Germany — such as logistics and support for combat operations in the Middle East — and is unlikely to withdraw.
For his part, Nico Lange of the Center for European Policy Analysis agreed, noting that there are approximately 36,000 American troops in Germany who primarily serve American interests, including "the projection of American power globally," rather than contributing to the defense of Germany.
The United States has invested "substantial funds" in high-quality infrastructure in Germany, which cannot be moved overnight and a different deployment would cost the United States an enormous amount of money, requiring Trump to obtain congressional approval, Lange explained.
"There is a difference between the military perspective and the political perspective"
Already in 2020, Trump announced plans to withdraw 11,900 American troops from Germany, but this fell through, in part because Congress did not provide the necessary funds and a withdrawal would have required huge investments elsewhere. That's why Trump's post is likely "bluster," Arnold described.
"There is a difference between the military perspective and the political one (...) The problem with some of these threats is that they are no longer as irritating as they were a couple of years ago," Arnold stressed.
The expert added that Europe is more concerned about issues such as the US redeployment of Patriot missile systems and munitions from Germany to the Middle East and notifications to NATO countries such as Estonia and Belgium that orders for US weapons will be delayed due to the priority given to the United States.
But the US-Israeli war against Iran has only increased the likelihood of a withdrawal, in Trump's words, and there have been numerous meetings between government officials.
Read alsoTrump evaluates sanctions and rewards for "good and bad" NATO allies: 'Politico'
A possible scenario that would favor Russia?
Already in October 2025, the United States confirmed that it would reduce its military presence on NATO's borders with Ukraine. The decision to cut between 1,500 and 3,000 soldiers was made with little notice and caused concern in Romania, an allied country where the military organization operates an air base.
As Russia watches, the war with Iran continues to have an impact. Early last year, the US administration informed its allies that it was reviewing its military posture in Europe and other regions. The results of this review were due to be made public at the end of 2025, but have not yet been published.
However, the United States pledged to inform its allies in advance of any changes to ensure that no security gap is created at a time when Russia is increasingly belligerent.
Read also"Putin's dream plan": NATO reacts to Donald Trump's threat to leave
With Reuters, AP and local media
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