Pete Hegseth Germany Troop Reduction Order Shakes US-NATO Alliance

Pentagon – (Web Desk) – The Pentagon has confirmed the Pete Hegseth Germany troop reduction order, with the US set to pull 5,000 soldiers out of Germany over the next six to twelve months. This move comes after a public falling-out between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the ongoing war with Iran.

Merz made headlines when he told students that Iran’s negotiators had left American diplomats empty-handed in Islamabad. He said the “entire nation” was being humiliated by Iran’s leadership. Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Merz a poor leader and claiming Germany was doing badly both economically and in other areas.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the order following a full review of US military positions across Europe. The US currently has over 36,000 active troops in Germany, mostly at Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern. Germany hosts the largest US military presence in Europe, with Italy and the UK each hosting far fewer troops.

Trump also hinted at pulling forces from Italy and Spain, saying both countries refused to help with efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He called Italy unhelpful and Spain “horrible.”

Germany, for its part, has significantly raised its defence spending. Under the Merz government, spending is set to hit 3.1% of GDP next year, far above NATO’s 2% target. Despite this, Washington appears set on reducing its European footprint as it shifts military focus toward the Indo-Pacific region.

This is not the first time such a move has been attempted. In 2020, a similar plan to move 12,000 troops from Germany was blocked by Congress and later reversed by President Biden.