During both of his terms in office, US President Donald Trump has made a number of threats to slash US troop numbers in Germany and other European allies.

The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift ​over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.

"We Europeans must take on more responsibility for our own security," says Germany's defence minister.

NATO says it is working with the United States to understand the decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. President Donald Trump announced the move on Friday following a dispute with Germany’s chancellor over the Iran war. Transatlantic relations have been strained since Friedrich Merz questioned Washington’s strategy in the Middle East. Germany’s defence minister has said the reduction in American troops should encourage European countries to strengthen their own defences further. Caroline Baum takes a closer look at America’s military bases in Germany.

The United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon said Friday, fulfilling President Donald Trump's threat as he clashes with the German leader over the U.S. war with Iran. Trump had threatened to withdraw some troops from the NATO ally…

The Pentagon’s announcement of the troop withdrawal follows a spat between Trump and Merz. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Pentagon’s announcement of the troop withdrawal follows a spat between Trump and Merz. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The German defense minister has responded to the U.S. plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the U.S. military presence in Europe.

"We're going to cut way down and we're cutting a lot further than 5,000," US President Donald Trump said in remarks to reporters in Florida on Saturday when asked about the plan.

"We're going to cut way down and we're cutting a lot further than 5,000," US President Donald Trump said in remarks to reporters in Florida on Saturday when asked about the plan.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius calls for greater European defence responsibility following the US troop withdrawal from Germany. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius calls for greater European defence responsibility following the US troop withdrawal from Germany. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Germany's defense minister on Saturday appeared to take in stride a Pentagon announcement that the United States plans to pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, saying a drawdown was expected and

A planned drawdown of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany should spur Europe to strengthen its own defenses, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday, but two top U.S. Republican lawmakers expressed concern, saying the troops should ‌not leave Europe. The Pentagon announced the drawdown from Germany, its largest European…

"We Europeans must take on more responsibility for our own security," says Germany's defence minister. A NATO spokesperson said the alliance was working with the US to understand the details of the decision.

Trump says he is considering pulling US troops from Italy and Spain as well, due to their opposition to the war against Iran; NATO says it shows Europe's need to invest in defense

May 2 - Two top Republican lawmakers expressed concern on Saturday about the Pentagon's decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius calls for greater European defence responsibility following the US troop withdrawal from Germany. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BERLIN, May 2 - Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday in response to the announcement of U.S. plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

“If we are to remain transatlantic, we must strengthen the European pillar within NATO,” German defense minister said in response to plan to withdraw American troops.