Handelsblatt reports Washington’s priorities have shifted to countering China.
According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, citing senior European diplomats, the US is expected to announce a reduction of its military presence in Europe in the “coming months.” The scale of the withdrawal remains unclear, but NATO is reportedly preparing for this possibility, the paper states.
EU sources suggest the potential withdrawal is tied to the new US national defense strategy, expected by the end of summer. Handelsblatt reports that US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby stated Washington needs to prioritize countering China and is unprepared for a potential conflict with Beijing.
Rumors of a potential withdrawal have circulated since an NBC News report in April indicated the US was considering removing up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe. President Trump later confirmed he was considering a partial withdrawal but provided no details on scope or timing.
In mid-May, US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, stated Washington plans to discuss a potential withdrawal with NATO members after the June summit, stating “We are not going to have any more patience for foot dragging in this situation,” while also acknowledging that “nothing has been determined” yet.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denied the withdrawal speculation during a visit to Lithuania this week. He told journalists at a press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda that, “We currently have no indication that the United States of America will withdraw troops from Europe.”
Politico reported in May, citing a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, that replacing US equipment and personnel after a withdrawal could cost around $1 trillion over 25 years.
As of early 2025, the US European Command reported nearly 84,000 US troops stationed in Europe, primarily in Germany and Poland, with smaller deployments in Romania, Estonia, and Lithuania.