Berlin, Germany – Amid escalating transatlantic tensions, the German Armed Forces Inspector General, Carsten Breuer, declared on Sunday that Europe is in a race against time to rearm. He also stressed the urgent need for “clarifications” from the United States regarding its plans to reduce its military presence on the continent.
Breuer’s remarks, made on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Forum in Singapore, highlighted the widening rift between Washington and its traditional allies.
German response to Hegseth’s criticisms
Brewer’s remarks came in response to sharp criticism leveled at Europe by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the same conference. Hegseth demanded that Europe make “big decisions” without elaborating.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Brewer defended Germany’s position, emphasizing that Berlin had “massively” increased its defense spending. He also stressed its firm commitment to achieving NATO’s goal of raising spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2029, six years ahead of schedule.
Brewer acknowledged the “thorny dilemma” facing Europe, saying: “We have all realized the need to look after our own security and take on greater responsibilities, but the required military capabilities cannot be built that quickly.”
Concerns about reduced US involvement
These developments coincide with anticipated US plans to reduce its military presence in Europe at a faster pace than expected. The US Department of Defense recently announced its intention to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
This decision marks a significant shift in Washington’s strategic direction. The United States has also strongly criticized European countries for not providing “sufficient support in the war with Iran” or fulfilling their security responsibilities.
Germany currently hosts more than 36,000 US troops spread across five strategic bases, including Ramstein Air Base. In this context, NATO spokesperson Alison Hart confirmed that the alliance is in intensive contact with Washington to understand the implications of the decision and its repercussions for the continent’s security.
