President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of troops in Germany to return to pre-2022 levels. Around 5,000 troops will be coming back to the US over the next year.

“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. “We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months.”

Around 30,000 troops will remain stationed in Germany. Leading up to the order, President Donald Trump had posted to Truth Social, “The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time.”

The withdrawal of the troops will bring the level of soldiers down to pre-2022 levels, according to The Hill. The move comes amid tension between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as well as other NATO allies.

Trump has been publicly critical of NATO countries, including Germany, for not helping to open up the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for trade and energy. The US is not as dependent on the water route as other countries in Europe, yet NATO allies have refused to help in the operation.

“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday. “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!”

Merz had previously said that the US had been “humiliated” by Iran when the Islamist regime closed the Strait of Hormuz.