Jerusalem Post/World NewsWashington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers.Follow us on GoogleUS Army soldiers carry a simulated casualty into a MEDEVAC vehicle during NATO's Sword 26 exercise, which tests new battlefield evacuation methods using drones and AI-assisted medical technology in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, May 11, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/KUBA STEZYCKI)ByREUTERSMAY 30, 2026 20:56The US plans to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from bases in Europe and will present its proposals to NATO allies next month, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday, citing an unidentified Pentagon source.Washington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers. Germany is home to some 35,000 active-duty US military personnel, more than anywhere else in Europe.At the time, the Pentagon said the withdrawal was expected to be completed over six to 12 months.Welt am Sonntag did not provide details on how much faster the withdrawal would be, or which locations might be affected. The US is due to present its plans to allies at next month's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Force Sourcing Conference, it said.The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 3, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST)Trump threatened troop cuts after clash with German chancellorTrump had threatened a drawdown in forces after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently said the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war and that he did not see what exit strategy Washington was pursuing.A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been "inappropriate and unhelpful.""The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks," the official said at the time.The official said the drawdown would bring US troop levels in Europe back to roughly pre-2022 levels, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a buildup by then-President Joe Biden.Trump has singled out Germany even as he has chastised other NATO allies for not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict.Follow us on Google