"We’ll Cut More Than 5,000" ... Trump Hints at Larger Reduction of US Troops in Germany

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\r\n[The Financial News] President Donald Trump’s remarks that he would sharply expand the reduction of US troops stationed in Germany are expected to shake Europe’s security landscape. By signaling cuts beyond the level originally proposed by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, he has fueled interpretations that the move could mark a broader realignment of alliances.
According to AP on the 2nd, local time, Trump told reporters in Florida that he would "cut far more than 5,000." He did not explain the specific reason for the reduction.
Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea announced a plan to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany. That would amount to roughly one-seventh of the 36,000 US troops currently stationed there. The withdrawal is expected to take place over six to 12 months. The units affected have not been disclosed.
If Trump’s remarks lead to additional cuts, major changes to the overall US military deployment in Europe would be unavoidable. About 80,000 to 100,000 US troops are currently stationed across Europe.
Concerns were raised immediately in political circles. In a joint statement, Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that a US troop withdrawal could send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. They suggested redeploying forces to Eastern Europe instead of pulling them out.
Democrats also strongly pushed back. Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it "a serious mistake to withdraw troops while a war is underway" and urged Trump to reverse the decision.
The Federal Government of Germany took a cautious stance. Boris Pistorius, the Federal Minister of Defence, called it "an expected measure," but stressed that "Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. The presence of US troops in Germany serves the interests of both sides."
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is also closely monitoring the situation. NATO is in contact with the US to understand the details of any deployment changes and plans to respond in light of allies’ efforts to increase defense spending.
Trump also tried to reduce the number of US troops in Germany by about 9,500 during his first administration, but the plan was never carried out.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter