Why withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany would harm the US itself

Trump is threatening to withdraw 5,000 or more troops from Germany. This would affect the US military and complicate Washington’s international efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

KK
04. May 2026
Landeplatz in der US-Militär-Basis Rammstein: US-Präsident Trump will massiv Truppen aus Deutschland abziehen.
Airfield at the US military base in Ramstein: US President Trump plans to withdraw a large number of troops from Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa)

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Last updated: 04. May 2026