NATO and leading US Republican lawmakers have expressed concern over Washington’s plan to reduce its military presence in Germany, amid growing tensions between the United States and European allies.

The United States has approved the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany, with the process expected to take between six and twelve months.

The move is linked to wider disagreements involving Middle East conflicts and trade disputes between the US and the European Union.

NATO officials said they are working with Washington to better understand the details of the decision. The alliance also noted that the development highlights the need for European countries to increase defence spending and take greater responsibility for their own security.

Germany currently hosts more than 36,000 US troops, making it one of the largest American military bases in Europe. While German authorities have said they expected some level of troop adjustment, they maintain that key installations such as Ramstein Air Base remain essential for NATO operations.

The decision has also drawn criticism from senior Republican lawmakers overseeing US defence policy, who warned that reducing troop levels could send the wrong signal to Russia at a sensitive time in global security affairs.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has previously advocated for a reduction in US troop presence in Europe, arguing that allies should contribute more to their own defence. He has also tied defence policy discussions to ongoing trade disagreements with the European Union.