US orders withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, who says decision was 'expected'

US soldiers stand to attention at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on July 13, 2022. CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, the Pentagon said on Friday, May 1. The move came as US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union would increase to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of not complying with a trade deal signed last summer.

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"We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. "This decision follows a thorough review of the Department's force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground," Parnell added.