The United States (US) has said it was withdrawing 12,000 American troops from Germany in a move which President Donald Trump described specifically to punish Germany for “not paying the bills” for the defence of Europe.
The Pentagon on Wednesday called the move to withdraw American troops “strategic” repositioning, but Trump said was to punish Berlin for its weak defence spending.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the Pentagon will be sending home about 6,400 of its military personnel in Germany, and move nearly 5,600 to other NATO countries, including Italy and Belgium.
Some could also be relocated to Poland and the Baltic countries if Washington can reach agreements with them, he said.
The move, which will cost the US government several billion dollars, will cut the presence of US military personnel in Germany to around 24,000.
Esper stressed that the action is part of his broader plan to reposition US military forces globally to better address the key threats from Russia and China.