Explanation

US President Donald Trump has approved a plan to withdraw 9,500 American troops from bases in Germany by September, US media say. Mr Trump, who has long complained that European members of Nato should spend more on their own defence, reportedly wants US troop levels capped at 25,000. Troops would either be redeployed elsewhere or return home, US media report, citing a government official. On Friday 5 June 2020, Mr Trump directed the Pentagon to permanently remove what would amount to 27.5% of the country’s troops currently based in Germany, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an unnamed administration official.