President Donald Trump is contemplating the withdrawal of approximately 35,000 active-duty US military personnel from Germany, potentially redeploying them to Eastern Europe, The Telegraph reports. This move could further strain US-Europe relations, especially as Trump grows increasingly frustrated with Europe’s defense posture.
Sources close to the administration indicate that Trump believes Europe is “pushing for war,” reflecting his longstanding calls for the continent to bolster its defensive capabilities. Currently, about 160,000 US active-duty personnel are stationed overseas, with a significant number based in Germany.
Brian Hughes, a US national security spokesperson, commented: “While no specific announcement is imminent, the US military is always considering the redeployment of troops around the world to best address current threats to our interests.”
The Telegraph suggests that Trump is considering repositioning troops from Germany to Hungary, a nation that has maintained close ties with Russia. At a recent emergency EU summit in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed a commitment to bolster support for Ukraine, a move that isolated Hungary within the EU on this issue.
Trump’s potential redeployment strategy aligns with his administration’s efforts to favor NATO member countries that have increased their defense spending to meet GDP targets. He has consistently criticized NATO allies for not meeting the 2% spending goal, arguing that this disparity places an unfair burden on the United States.
During his first term, Trump ordered the withdrawal of nearly 12,000 troops from Germany, a decision halted by President Joe Biden amid widespread congressional criticism.
In a significant policy shift, Germany’s prospective governing parties have agreed to loosen constitutional restrictions on borrowing, enabling €1 trillion in spending on defense and infrastructure. This marks a departure from Germany’s traditionally debt-averse stance, signaling a commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.
Fears of a US troop withdrawal from Europe have been mounting. Christoph Heusgen, head of the Munich Security Conference, remarked: “The US will likely announce a massive withdrawal of American soldiers from Europe.”
Vice President JD Vance has suggested that America’s continued military presence in Germany could be reconsidered, linking defense commitments to Berlin’s stance on free speech. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, he stated: “Germany’s entire defense is subsidized by the American taxpayer. There are thousands upon thousands of American troops in Germany today. Do you think that the American taxpayer is going to stand for that if you get thrown in jail in Germany for posting a mean tweet? Of course, they’re not.”
In January, reports indicated that Trump aims to reduce the American military presence in Europe by 20% and plans to request financial contributions for the maintenance of remaining troops.
European leaders, concerned about a potential US military pullback, convened emergency talks to strengthen their own security measures. A coalition of 20 countries, primarily European and Commonwealth partners, is in discussions to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war settlement. The UK and France are spearheading efforts to form a “coalition of the willing” prepared to uphold any agreement ending the three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite Hungary’s veto, European leaders continue to support Ukraine. A joint statement emphasized: “Achieving ‘peace through strength’ requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with Ukraine’s own robust military and defense capabilities as an essential component.” The EU remains committed to providing enhanced political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.
As Europe faces evolving security challenges, the potential repositioning of US troops underscores the need for robust and unified defense strategies among NATO allies.