German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he personally cares a lot about good transatlantic relations. The chancellor did not directly comment on US President Donald Trump’s statement that the US is considering reducing the number of US troops operating in Germany. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Germany is possibly ready for this step. Trump criticized Merz again Thursday afternoon; according to him, the chancellor should devote more time to solving Germany’s problems.
Photo: SITA/AP, Evan Vucci
In the archive picture Friedrich Merz and Donald Trump.
In a post on his social network Truth Social last night, Trump said that “the United States is investigating and reviewing a possible reduction in the number of troops in Germany.” “The decision will be taken in a short time,” he added. Approximately 35,000 American soldiers are serving in Germany. The Trump administration has already talked about reducing that number by about a third during his first term. However, President Joe Biden stopped the withdrawal and instead decided to send 500 more troops to Bavaria.
In a brief statement at the military training area, Merz emphasized that good relations between Europe and the United States are “personally very close to his heart.” He also identified a strong NATO as a priority. He added that when solving world crises, Germany is in close contact with its allies, especially Washington. He also spoke again about the Iran war, which, according to him, must end soon. “Iran must come to the negotiating table,” urged the chancellor.
On Monday, Merz said he was disillusioned with the United States and Israel’s approach to Middle East peace talks. According to him, Washington has no convincing strategy. He added that Europe is therefore trying to find its own diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran, but is coordinating its efforts with the US. In response to Merz’s words, Trump said the chancellor “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” On Thursday, Merz said he considered his personal relationship with the US president to “continue to be good”.
Foreign Minister Wadephul said during his visit to Morocco that Germany is “prepared” for the possibility of reducing the number of American soldiers in the country. According to him, Trump talked about “vetting” this possibility, which is nothing new. “I look at it calmly,” added the head of German diplomacy. According to him, Europe has to take more responsibility for its own security anyway, which is why Germany is strengthening its defense capabilities. According to Wadephul, some American military facilities in Germany, such as the Ramstein base, the Landstuhl hospital or the Grafenwöhr training area, are also irreplaceable for the US.
This afternoon, Trump again criticized SELČ on his Truth Social network, Merza. “The German chancellor should spend more time on ending the Russia/Ukraine war (where he was totally ineffective), fixing his bankrupt country, especially in the areas of immigration and energy,” Trump said. According to the American president, Merz, on the other hand, should not interfere in the activities of those who are trying to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, by which he apparently meant the United States. Trump has previously claimed, without substantiating it, that Merz would not mind Iran getting a nuclear weapon.
The US president criticizes several European statesmen who refuse to directly involve their countries in the war, which the US and Israel started at the end of February with strikes on Iran. Germany, like France or Britain, says that it is willing to ensure the operation of the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for the transportation of oil, gas and fertilizers, but only after the end of the conflict.
