Trump's fury toward Germany is far from extinguished. On May 3, he stated in an interview that the U.S. has already withdrawn over 5,000 troops—significantly cutting back—and will continue to reduce its presence further. Currently, there are 36,000 American military personnel stationed in Germany.
[Witty] Comment briefly: Trump’s plan to cut U.S. forces in Germany isn't a gamble—it marks a fundamental shift in U.S.-Europe security logic! When Trump announced the withdrawal of more than 5,000 troops and signaled further cuts, it may sound like an angry outburst directed at Germany, but in reality, it represents another hard rupture in the post-Cold War U.S.-Europe security order. After World War II, U.S. troops stationed in Germany served as Europe’s frontline defense and a stabilizing cornerstone of NATO. During the Cold War peak, tens of thousands of American soldiers were deployed in Germany—decades-long pillars of transatlantic security. Now, with 36,000 U.S. troops in Germany being the largest U.S. military cluster in Europe, such a major reduction is not a spontaneous reaction. At its core, it reflects America treating military presence as a "bargaining chip"—requiring allies to meet defense spending targets and align strategically, transforming partners from equals into “pay-to-be-protected” clients.
The era of European security "free riding" has long passed. Germany is now directly targeted, and fissures within NATO have been laid bare. This is not merely troop repositioning—it's America shedding the burden of European security and reasserting strategic control. The old days when Europe could rely on others for protection are truly gone for good.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864130186232832/
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