The Pentagon is considering the cost of withdrawing or transferring part or even all of the US troops stationed in Germany, The Washington Post reported on Friday.
Options include repatriating a large number of US troops, some 35.000 troops, or moving part or all of that force to Poland. Warsaw is seen as an important ally by Trump, who cites it as an example for achieving its goal of devoting 2% of its GDP to its military spending.
The idea was mentioned by US President Donald Trump during a meeting with senior US officials.
It has alarmed European NATO members, who do not know whether Trump means it or simply seeks to increase pressure ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Brussels on July 11th and 12th.
The US President sent a "warning" letter to seven NATO member countries, including Germany, to recall them for their commitment to dedicate 2% of their GDP each year to military spending by 2024.
Germany, whose relations with Washington have been strained in recent months, has already made it clear that it cannot keep that commitment.
According to the American newspaper The Washington Post, the study is still in an internal, preliminary stage.
A White House National Security Council spokesman denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday stating "Similar, baseless allegations concerning Russia's intelligence have been made more than once.
It is noted that US troops have remained in Germany since the end of World War II and this country is the most important base for US operations in Africa and the Middle East.