US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany

US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany

From Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

May 2, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany amidst political tensions and covers various global news stories.

The US Defence Department says 5,000 military personnel stationed in Germany will leave their bases over the next 6-12 months. The withdrawal of American troops follows a spat between President Trump and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran. Also, President Trump says he'll increase tariffs on European vehicles imported to the US; Cuba says new US sanctions amount to "collective punishment"; rats, fleas and other pests are spreading disease amongst displaced Palestinians in Gaza; the Oscar statue that was lost and then found by staff at Lufthansa Airlines; scientists say they've used new technology to identify a previously unknown sketch of the Tudor queen, Anne Boleyn; and we find out who won the Flatpack World Championships. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or…

Topics covered

  • US military withdrawal
  • international relations
  • tariffs
  • sanctions
  • disease outbreak
  • cultural artifacts
  • sports

Keywords

  • US troops
  • Germany
  • Trump
  • tariffs
  • Cuba sanctions
  • Gaza
  • disease
  • Anne Boleyn
  • Oscar statue
  • Flatpack World Championships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US Defence Department

Books & works: Oscar statue

Places: Germany, Cuba, Gaza

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