Trump Finally Orders Reduction of US Troops in Germany... Could Become Fewer Than Troops in South Korea

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany is expected to decrease compared to the number of U.S. troops in South Korea. This is because U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to reduce the thousands of U.S. troops stationed in Germany by September.

Since this move comes amid President Donald Trump's pressure on allied countries to bear the costs of U.S. troops stationed in their countries, significant repercussions are expected.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 5th (local time), citing senior officials, that President Trump has ordered a reduction of about 9,500 U.S. troops in Germany. Currently, the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany is 34,500. Reflecting the reduction, the number will decrease to 25,000. In this case, the number of U.S. troops in Germany will be less than the approximately 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea.

Some of the reduced forces are expected to be redeployed to Poland and other allied countries, while some will return to the United States.

An official explained to the WSJ that discussions on the reduction have been ongoing within the administration since September last year, led by Robert O'Brien, the National Security Advisor.

The WSJ evaluated, "This move comes amid very tense relations between the U.S. and Germany, including Germany's level of military spending."

The U.S. is also in conflict with South Korea over the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but it has been applying pressure on Germany as well.

Richard Grenell, the former U.S. Ambassador to Germany who recently stepped down from his post, is known to have expressed dissatisfaction with the German government's insufficient defense spending and pressured for a reduction of U.S. troops. President Trump has also continuously pressured Germany on defense cost-sharing, maintaining a contentious relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Merkel has declared that she will not attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit that President Trump hopes to hold.