Trump’s Germany troop cuts spark concern over NATO unity

European efforts to keep the United States fully committed to NATO are facing renewed pressure after a decision by the US President Donald Trump who called one American brigade back from Germany.

According to sources, European officials have been working to maintain US support for NATO despite rising tensions linked to the Iran war.

However, Trump’s move to withdraw around one American brigade comprised of 5,000 US troops from Germany has raised concerns in Europe about the stability of long-standing defence commitments.

NATO officials were not surprised by the scale of the troop reduction, as European allies have already agreed to take on greater responsibility for their own security.

But the way the decision was communicated was not only sudden with limited consultation but also jerked the European governments.

German officials, after the US administration’s decision, also expressed concern over the cancellation of a planned deployment of US Tomahawk missiles to Germany. While not entirely unexpected, the move added to uncertainty over future US defence commitments in Europe.

A senior German lawmaker, Siemtje Moeller, said the issue was not just about troop numbers but about trust in long-term partnerships, warning that such decisions appear increasingly unpredictable.

The troop withdrawal followed Trump’s criticism that NATO allies are not contributing enough to US-led operations in the Iran conflict. He has also questioned aspects of NATO’s mutual defence guarantee under Article 5.

Tensions within the alliance were further heightened after Trump suggested possible action involving Greenland, a Danish territory and NATO member area. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte helped ease the situation, but broader disagreements remain unresolved.

European diplomats say attention is now focused on a NATO summit in Ankara in July, where leaders are expected to face difficult discussions about the alliance’s future direction.

Despite tensions, cooperation continues. Several European countries have allowed US forces access to bases and airspace during the Iran campaign, though some governments have been reluctant to publicly confirm their involvement due to domestic opposition.

Spain has declined to allow use of its bases, while countries including Britain, Germany, France, Italy and others are reportedly supporting US operational requirements, according to NATO officials.

European governments are also trying to strengthen their case for continued U.S. engagement by emphasising shared security interests and increased European defence contributions.

However, the situation has exposed divisions within NATO over the Iran war. Western European countries have been more critical of the conflict, while some Eastern members stress the importance of maintaining close alignment with Washington due to concerns over Russia.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for unity, warning that public disagreements could weaken the alliance. He also noted that several European countries are preparing naval support in the Gulf region for possible future missions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomats say the coming months will be crucial as NATO tries to manage internal differences while maintaining US participation in the alliance.