BERLIN: Friedrich Merz has said the planned withdrawal of US troops from Germany was anticipated and not linked to recent tensions with Donald Trump.
In an interview with ARD, Merz stated that the reduction of approximately 5,000 American troops had been under discussion for some time, noting that the forces were originally deployed on a temporary basis during the administration of Joe Biden.
“It might be being exaggerated, but it is not new,” Merz said, seeking to ease concerns over the move.
Maintaining US Relations
Despite recent disagreements over US policy on Iran, Merz emphasized that Germany remains committed to maintaining strong ties with Washington. He said efforts to strengthen the transatlantic relationship would continue, including cooperation with President Trump.
Missile Deployment Delayed
Merz also confirmed that the United States will not station Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany at this time. He cited limited availability of such systems as the primary reason, adding that the decision is not related to political differences.
Strategic Outlook
Germany hosts the largest number of US troops in Europe, making any changes to deployments significant for regional security. However, Merz indicated that cooperation within NATO remains stable despite recent developments.