US Defense Secretary: "No Troop Withdrawal from Europe... Will Consult Allies on Force Posture Decisions"

Ahead of NATO Meeting, Emphasis on Alliance: "Alliance Is Not a Burden, Collective Security Benefits All"
"The US Is Ready to Commit for Military Alliance," Contrasting Trump on Defense Spending Pressure

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense. Photo by AP/ Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that there will be no withdrawal of U.S. troops from Europe.

On the 16th (local time), Secretary Austin wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post (WP), "Under the president's directive, the current administration is reviewing global troop posture, but there will be no withdrawal from Europe," adding, "The previously announced withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Germany has already been halted."

He continued, "Any decisions resulting from the troop posture review will be made in close consultation with our allies."

Secretary Austin said that he will particularly emphasize the importance of alliance cooperation at the NATO defense ministers' virtual meeting scheduled for the 17th to 18th.

This is interpreted as a message that, unlike former President Donald Trump who pressured NATO members to increase defense spending and undervalued the alliance, the Joe Biden administration intends to strengthen alliance relations once again.

He stated, "The United States believes it is strongest when it is part of a team," and added, "Our alliances and partnerships are strategic advantages that our competitors cannot match."

He further said, "I wanted them to know that the U.S. will lead again and that we will be good team members again," emphasizing, "Alliances are not a burden; they benefit both individual national security and collective security."

This is interpreted as a determination to move away from the 'go-it-alone' approach of the Trump administration and to work toward restoring a U.S.-centered international order.

Finally, Secretary Austin said, "To achieve a peaceful and prosperous future, leadership and bold action are necessary, and we must maintain a militarily strong alliance through mutual ironclad commitment," adding, "Under President Biden's leadership, the United States is ready to make such a commitment."

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