Germany has called for stronger European defense efforts after the United States announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from the country, where roughly 40,000 American service members are currently stationed. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the move, expected to take place within six to twelve months, should serve as a wake up call for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security.

The decision follows rising tensions between Washington and Berlin over Middle East policy and trade, including new tariffs on European car imports. The withdrawal will reportedly include the departure of a full brigade and the cancellation of a planned long range fires battalion, a capability Germany had viewed as an important deterrent while Europe develops similar systems.

Germany has pledged to expand its armed forces and accelerate military procurement, aiming to increase active duty personnel significantly in response to what many see as a growing threat from Russia. Meanwhile, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said it is working with Washington to clarify the details of the drawdown, as leaders in Poland and elsewhere warned that weakening transatlantic unity could endanger regional security.