US DEFENCE SECRETARY Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, the Pentagon said yesterday, in the latest rift in transatlantic ties over the US-Israeli war against Iran.

The move came as US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union will increase to 25% next week, accusing the bloc of not complying with a trade deal inked last summer.

Trump has renewed criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday that Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table. Trump said Merz “thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”

On Wednesday, Trump said Washington was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction” of US troops in Germany, and that he would decide in a “short period of time.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement yesterday that “We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months.”

“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground,” Parnell added.

During both of his terms in office, Trump has made a number of threats to slash US troop numbers in Germany and other European allies, saying he wants Europe to take on greater responsibility for its defence rather than depending on Washington.

Trump on Friday accused German carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW of ripping off Americans, saying that Germany and “other European nations have not adhered to our trade deal.”

Germany would likely be hit hard by a sharp vehicle tariff, as it is responsible for a significant portion of EU auto exports.

‘Why shouldn’t I?’ 

Trump now appears determined to punish allies who have not backed the war or contributed to a peacekeeping force in the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway, which Tehran’s forces have effectively closed.

On Thursday, Trump said he may pull US troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war, telling reporters in the Oval Office: “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”

“Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn’t I?” Trump said.

As of 31 December 2025, there were 12,662 active-duty US troops in Italy and 3,814 in Spain. In Germany, there were 36,436.

Speaking during a visit to Morocco on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Germany was “prepared” for a reduction in US troops and was “discussing it closely and in a spirit of trust in all NATO bodies.”

While saying he was “relaxed” about the idea of fewer US troops in Germany, Wadephul said that large American bases in Germany are “not up for discussion at all.”

He said for example that the Ramstein Air Base had “an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us alike.”

Ukraine support 

The EU said Thursday that the deployment of US troops in Europe was in Washington’s interest, and that the United States was “a vital partner in contributing to Europe’s security and defence.”

Trump meanwhile took aim at Merz again, telling him to focus on ending the Ukraine war instead of “interfering” on Iran.

European powers have been on alert since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and a spate of drone incursions in the last year — as well as US promises to move away from defending the continent — have pushed the issue to the top of the agenda.

Merz has made national security a priority, announcing unprecedented investments in an army that has been underfunded and under-equipped for decades.

He has also reaffirmed support for Ukraine, for whom Germany has been the second-largest individual supplier of aid after the US.

- © AFP 2026