The U.S. will withdraw almost 12,000 troops from Germany, shifting forces to other countries in Europe, U.S. defense officials said.

About 6,400 troops will be sent home and shift about 5,400 to other NATO countries such as Belgium and Italy.

This will decrease the U.S. troop presence in Germany from roughly 36,000 to 24,000.

President Donald Trump said the move was response failing to spend enough on defense.

A new rotation would deploy troops to the Black Sea region.

This move also comes as the U.S. plans to increase its troop presence in Poland.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, removing the troops is one part of a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years to complete.

The decision was criticized by German officials.