With the Donald Trump administration announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany, the German government reacted calmly, calling it “an expected decision.” However, voices of concern are emerging among residents in host regions over potential economic shock.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the DPA news agency on the 2nd (local time) that the decision to reduce U.S. forces was “something that could be expected,” adding, “Europeans must take greater responsibility for security.” He also said, “The presence of U.S. forces in Europe, especially in Germany, serves the interests of both Germany and the United States.”

The daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) reported that “the U.S. Department of Defense has not yet determined which units to withdraw from Germany,” and analyzed that, since the announcement mentioned ‘a brigade-level combat unit,’ the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, permanently stationed near Vilseck by Grafenwoehr in Bavaria, could be affected. SZ explained that the 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a brigade-sized formation of about 4,800 personnel and the only brigade-level combat unit permanently based in Germany.

SZ analyzed that “if the level is simply that rotational units are not redeployed, the damage to the local economy would be limited, but if a permanently stationed unit is withdrawn, the departure of resident soldiers and families would cause a far greater economic blow.”

In Grafenwoehr, which is home to the largest U.S. military training area in Europe, even if rotational units disappear, the ranges would not be closed and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members could use them for training. However, if a combat unit that is permanently stationed withdraws, it could have a devastating impact on the regional economy.

Alexander Schweitzer, governor of Rhineland-Palatinate, where numerous U.S. bases including Ramstein Air Base are located, told DPA, “I am seriously concerned that this announcement could affect our state as well.” Governor-elect Gordon Schneider also said, “This is not merely a matter of cooperation on security policy. A stationed force is also an economic issue.”

This is not the first time the United States has considered withdrawing forces from Germany. During the first Trump administration in 2020, a plan to pull out 12,000 personnel was pursued, citing burden-sharing and other reasons. However, after President Joe Biden took office, the plan was scrapped. Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the number of U.S. troops in Europe has instead increased to about 80,000 to 100,000, and roughly 36,000 are believed to be stationed in Germany.

The U.S. military outlet Stars and Stripes reported that, when a withdrawal was being discussed in 2020, the mayor of Vilseck said, “If the 2nd Cavalry Regiment leaves, the Bavarian regional economy would suffer losses of about $1 billion.”

The Pentagon said it would complete the withdrawal of about 5,000 U.S. personnel from Germany within the next 6 to 12 months. Details remain unclear. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, even said they would “reduce far more than 5,000.”

The New York Times also reported a comment from an anonymous Defense Department official that the withdrawal plan was intended to “be seen as punishment” for Germany. Chancellor Merz recently said that “the United States suffered humiliation at the hands of Iran,” which appears to have prompted President Trump to order a drawdown of troops.