Trump Considers Reducing U.S. Troops in Germany in Response to Merz's Criticism

"Final Decision to Be Made Soon," Says Trump, Increasing Pressure

AP Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested a possible reduction in U.S. troop presence in Germany. This move appears to be a response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's strong criticism regarding the Iran war. Tensions are once again escalating between the United States and its European allies in NATO.

On the 29th (local time), President Trump stated on his social networking service, Truth Social, "The United States is considering the possibility of reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany," adding, "A final decision will be made soon." This indicates that the U.S. is considering reducing the current 35,000 troops stationed in Germany even further. However, he did not present a specific timeline or the exact scale of the reduction.

This suggestion of reducing U.S. forces in Germany came immediately after a conflict with Chancellor Merz. Previously, Chancellor Merz had harshly criticized the U.S. military operations against Iran. During a visit to a Gymnasium (secondary school) in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, on the 27th, Chancellor Merz remarked, "The United States is being humiliated by Iran and has no strategy to end the war," adding, "In such conflicts, it is not enough to know how to start them; one must also know how to end them. However, there is no sign whatsoever of how Americans will choose a strategic exit."

In response, President Trump wrote on Truth Social on the 28th, "Chancellor Merz does not know what he is talking about," and "He seems to think that Iran possessing nuclear weapons is acceptable." He continued, "If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, the entire world will effectively become hostages," adding, "It is no surprise at all that Germany is underperforming economically and in other respects."

With both sides exchanging criticism and President Trump now suggesting a reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, concerns are mounting over the weakening of NATO Europe's defense capabilities. President Trump has repeatedly pointed to the passive attitude of NATO's European allies during the Iran war and has several times hinted at the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from NATO after the war with Iran.

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