“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The statement followed an exchange of remarks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran conflict. Merz earlier said Iran was “humiliating” Washington in negotiations, prompting Trump to respond that the German leader “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
The United States maintains its largest military presence in Europe in Germany, with about 34,547 troops as of 2025, according to available data, although estimates vary depending on rotations. These forces serve as a central hub for U.S. operations across Europe, including logistics and NATO coordination.
Prior to Trump’s post, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul by phone, discussing Iran and the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Any discord between Washington and Berlin — a central pillar of NATO — could carry implications beyond Europe, including in the Indo-Pacific.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under the bilateral alliance, while roughly 50,000 troops are based in Japan. These forces form a key part of U.S. deterrence posture in the region, particularly in relation to North Korea.
Both countries are also linked to the Strait of Hormuz through energy supply chains. Before the recent conflict disrupted the waterway, South Korea depended on the strait for roughly 70 percent of its crude oil and about 20 percent of its natural gas, while Japan relied on it for about 93 percent of its crude imports.
Earlier in April, Washington asked several countries, including South Korea and Japan, to consider supporting efforts related to security in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Seoul’s foreign ministry, Rubio spoke with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on April 16 and referred to cooperation for long-term security in the area.
The United States has previously reviewed troop levels in allied countries, including Germany, during earlier phases of the Trump administration. U.S. forces in Germany play a central role in logistics, command operations and support for NATO missions across Europe.
No timeline or specific scale for a potential reduction in Germany has been announced.
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