Trump-Ordered Troop Reductions In Germany Only Minor Blow — For Now

WIESBADEN, Germany: US soldiers of the 1st Armored Division stand under the US and the German flags 07 October 2004 at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, during the Welcome Home Ceremony to honor their return of 1st Armored Division Soldiers from Iraq. (THOMAS LOHNES/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)

DDP/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump said last week that the U.S. was withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany. The announcement was seen in the context of critical remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concerning the war in Iran, specifically the comment that the country’s negotiators had “humiliated” the United States.

However, looking at the high levels of U.S. troops in Germany, the loss of a few thousands does not significantly change the country’s standing as one of the biggest hosts of the U.S. military abroad. Data by the Defense Manpower Data Center at the Department of Defense shows that as of December 2025, more than 36,000 active-duty U.S. troops were stationed in Germany. Trump mentioned withdrawals could potentially go far beyond 5,000, but no details on a further plan have emerged so far.

With the loss of 5,000, to be carried out over the next six to 12 months, Germany still remains the second-biggest location of U.S. troops abroad. Only Japan, at more than 54,000, hosts more active-duty U.S. service members. South Korea comes third at around 23,500. Within the European Union, Italy and Spain host the most U.S. troops after Germany, at more than 12,500 and around 4,000, respectively. A further 10,000 are stationed in the United Kingdom — rank 5.

Post-WWII, Germany became one of the United States’ closest allies in Europe —economically, culturally and in defense matters. Despite this, both countries have repeatedly disagreed gravely on the use of military force, for example in Iraq, in Gaza and most recently in Iran. While even conservative German leaders like Merz, and before him former Chancellor Angela Merkel, have had major disagreements with Trump, the German government has kept push-back against the U.S. dispassionate and has continued a mostly diplomatic demeanor towards their powerful ally—which the prolonged standoff with Iran might now start to challenge.

U.S. troops are spread all over the world, as further DMDC shows, but the superpower has in the past focused on the key allies already mentioned above to project its military power globally and station personnel. These stand out clearly on a map of U.S. troops overseas. While almost all countries in the world have a (declassified) U.S. military presence, for the vast majority of nations, this means fewer than 1,000 or, even more commonly, fewer than 100 troops stationed.

Larger Shift Away From Europe?

Some experts seem to think a larger shift away from Europe is possible, but this would also mean deep-ranging changes for the United States military and would be a rather drawn-out process if it were to happen.

Germany and other NATO members have already started to extend their military capabilities over the past couple of years as the United States was increasingly seen as an unreliable ally, especially in terms of defense. Yet, despite the ongoing changes, dependence on U.S. military projection remains very real in Europe and around the world, raising serious questions for all involved about the state of traditional alliances if a larger withdrawal of U.S. troops internationally should become a reality.