U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened a drawdown in U.S. troops amid a public row with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who mentioned the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran.
The Pentagon’s announcement would nonetheless go away round 33,000 U.S. troops in Germany, reversing a buildup that started underneath President Joe Biden.
A European Fee spokesperson instructed POLITICO the U.S. navy footprint in Europe was a “important contribution to NATO deterrence and protection” and fashioned the “basis of collective protection for 23 EU Member States who’re additionally Allies” in NATO. The spokesperson added that EU nations have been assembly their NATO commitments by growing navy spending at “an unprecedented tempo.”
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell mentioned in an announcement that U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal in response to “circumstances on the bottom” after reviewing U.S. troop buildup in Europe. “We anticipate the withdrawal to be accomplished over the subsequent six to 12 months,” Parnell mentioned.
Reacting to the Pentagon’s announcement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk deplored the “disastrous development” in Europe-U.S. relations. “The best menace to the transatlantic neighborhood [is] the continued disintegration of our alliance,” Tusk mentioned in an X submit on Saturday. “We should all do what it takes to reverse this disastrous development.”
Trump has additionally threatened to take away U.S. troops from Spain and Italy, in renewed assaults towards Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian chief Giorgia Meloni. Madrid and Rome, like Berlin, have been vital of the U.S.-Israel struggle on Iran.
Chatting with reporters within the Oval Workplace on Thursday, Trump mentioned he would “most likely” take away American troops from the 2 southern European nations. He mentioned Italy had “not been of any assist to us,” and accused Spain of being “completely horrible.” Each Spain and Italy have denied U.S. navy planes which can be participating within the Iran struggle from utilizing their bases.
Victor Jack contributed reporting.
