Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday said the planned drawdown of American troops from Germany had been expected and that the move should spur Europeans to strengthen their own defenses further.
The Pentagon announced on Friday that the United States would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany, its largest European base, as a rift over the Iran war and tariff tensions place further strain on relations between the U.S. and Europe.
Pistorius said the move was expected.
Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces earlier this week after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has questioned Washington's strategy in the Middle East.
Germany boosting troops, military infrastructure
