Trump: "Germany, Not Paying, US Troops Will Be Reduced... Don't Want to Be a Sucker"

After Announcement of 12,000 U.S. Troop Reduction in Germany, Tough Remarks Made
Claims Germany Could Reverse Decision If Costs Are Paid
Attention on Whether South Korea-U.S. Defense Cost Sharing Will Be Linked

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 29th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump said regarding the reduction of U.S. troops stationed in Germany that the troop reduction is because Germany is not paying, and that he no longer wants to be the suckers.

Before departing for Texas on the same day, President Trump met with reporters and, when asked about the decision to reduce U.S. troops stationed in Germany and whether it would send any signal to Russia, he replied, "That's right. They are there to protect Europe, Germany," and added, "Germany is supposed to pay for that, but they are not paying."

On the same day, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced that 12,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany would be reduced and redeployed to other regions, and that the European headquarters would be moved from Germany to Belgium.

He further stated, "If Germany does not pay, why should we keep them there?" and "We no longer want to be the suckers." President Trump also claimed, "The United States has been taken advantage of for 25 years in trade and military matters."

President Trump used the term "default" three times that day, emphasizing, "We are reducing troops because they are not paying their bills."

President Trump also expressed the position that if Germany pays the costs, the U.S. troops scheduled for withdrawal could be brought back. He mentioned, "Now if they start paying their bills, I could reconsider that. I will think about it."

As President Trump linked defense costs and troop reductions regarding the U.S. troops in Germany, concerns have been raised that he might use the reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as leverage in defense cost negotiations, which are facing difficulties in the upcoming election phase.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.