Why does the US have military bases in Germany – and will Trump follow through on his threat to cut numbers?

President has said he’s once again considering reducing the 36,400 US personnel based in Germany. But why are they there in the first place? Donald Trump has said the US is “studying and reviewing the possible reduction” of its troops stationed in Germany, days after the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggested Washington was being outplayed and “humiliated” by Iran. The US president said a “determination” on the US military presence in Germany, seen as a key part of Nato’s defences but also vital for the projection of US power in other parts of the world, would be made “over the next short period of time”. Continue reading...

Jon Henley Europe correspondent · Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 5:55 AM
US news | The Guardian

Why does the US have military bases in Germany – and will Trump follow through on his threat to cut numbers?

President has said he’s once again considering reducing the 36,400 US personnel based in Germany. But why are they there in the first place?

Donald Trump has said the US is “studying and reviewing the possible reduction” of its troops stationed in Germany, days after the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggested Washington was being outplayed and “humiliated” by Iran.

The US president said a “determination” on the US military presence in Germany, seen as a key part of Nato’s defences but also vital for the projection of US power in other parts of the world, would be made “over the next short period of time”.

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