There is growing concern in Berlin over unofficial information from the Pentagon. Namely, the United States of America intends to reduce the number of its troops in Germany. This move would be the first such change since the Cold War, when the American military presence became a key pillar of European security.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently travelled to Washington, where he met with his American counterpart, Pete Hegseth. After the meeting, he said that they had agreed on close cooperation and the gradual implementation of the decision, if it is adopted.
The US military plays a key role in Europe. According to data from the United States European Command (EUCOM), the United States currently has nearly 84,000 active troops in Europe, most of them stationed in Germany. This structure enables military operations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Ramstein is home to one of the most important air bases, Landstuhl has an important military hospital, and Wiesbaden and Stuttgart have command centres for missions in Europe and Africa. Grafenwöhr is home to NATO’s largest training area, Rheindahlen is home to F-16 fighter squadrons, and Büchel is home to nuclear warheads intended to deter Russia.
What does Washington intend to do?
Despite the importance of these forces, Washington is sending mixed messages. In June, Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the White House, where Donald Trump assured him that the United States of America had no intention of withdrawing its troops from Germany. During Minister Pistorius’s visit in July, the message was different – the United States is reviewing the deployment of its forces around the world and is considering a shift from Europe to the Pacific. The review is being led by Elbridge Colby, who is known for his hawkish stance on China. The withdrawal could also include the 20,000 troops that Joe Biden‘s administration sent to Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Germany seeks to retain US troops and influence in Europe
Germany has been trying to improve relations with the United States of America in recent months. In June, the government announced an increase in defence spending from 86 billion euros for 2025 to 153 billion euros by 2029, which represents 3.5 percent of GDP. The goal is to meet NATO targets and strengthen common infrastructure. The media outlet Politico reported that these efforts have been moderately successful. Merz, Pistorius, and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have exerted coordinated pressure on Washington, including Merz’s call to Trump to ensure further arms shipments to Ukraine.
A potential US withdrawal would cost Europe a staggering 870 billion euros
If the United States were to actually withdraw, Europe would have to take over all the military infrastructure currently provided by the USA. This would include bases, training grounds, weapons, logistics, intelligence services, and more. A study by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates that Europe would have to invest around 870 billion euros to replace the US contribution. In this context, the question remains open as to whether Europe will be willing and able to build its own defence backbone.
Sara Kovač
