'Regrettable': Germany reacts to Trump plan to withdraw US troops

Reduction of 9,500 personnel criticised by the German right and welcomed by the left

Donald Trump's plans to withdraw more than a third of the US troops stationed in Germany have been criticised in the country by conservatives and welcomed by leftwing politicians.

The US president has reportedly ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of troops by 9,500 from the 34,500 permanently assigned in Germany as part of a long-standing arrangement with Washington's Nato ally.