Trump Says US May Cut Troops in Germany as Iran Row Rages

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is considering reducing the number of US troops in Germany, amid a row with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war, AFP reported.

“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump said on Truth Social.

The move is widely viewed as retaliation for public criticism from Merz, who said Monday that the United States was being “humiliated” by Iranian leaders and lacked a clear exit strategy from the conflict.

Merz also compared the situation to previous US failures in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Trump fired back Tuesday, saying Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and accusing him of being soft on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Germany has refused to take part in the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began in February 2026. Merz has cited the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a major threat to the German economy and ruled out military involvement without a proper international mandate.

The United States had more than 35,000 troops in Germany in 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service, although the current number is believed to be higher, with German media putting it closer to 50,000.

Germany serves as the main hub for American military operations in Europe.

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Despite the public friction, Merz played down the row Wednesday, telling reporters that his personal relationship with Trump remained “good,” while maintaining his concerns about the economic fallout and strategy of the war.