Dimensions that may have an impact on European security, but also on the relations between the American president and the German chancellor, which broke out on the occasion of the latter’s comments and attitude on the subject of his war and negotiations, are taking on dimensions.
Now the issue has reached open threats from Donald Trump that it is extremely possible that the US will reduce the number of troops it has deployed in Germany. The threats come days after Germany’s chancellor said America was “humiliated” by Iran.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, the American president said that his administration is “studying and considering the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a decision to be made in the next short period of time.”
Mertz vs. Trump
On Monday, Friedrich Merz argued that Trump’s team appears unable to rise to the occasion in its negotiations with Iran to end the ongoing war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Iranians are obviously very good at negotiating, or rather very good at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any results,” the German chancellor said.
Mertz repeated his criticism on Wednesday, saying Europe was “suffering” from the consequences of the closure of the Straits.
Trump canceled a second trip by US negotiators to Islamabad last week. Since then, talks over Iran’s nuclear program and the Straits of Hormuz have been deadlocked. On Tuesday, Trump accused Mertz of being okay with “Iran having a nuclear weapon” and said the chancellor “doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
Mertz’s attempt to entertain impressions
Earlier Wednesday, Mertz dismissed those comments, saying his relationship with Trump remains “as good as it’s ever been,” but the threat to withdraw U.S. troops is causing concern in Berlin and across Europe. This comes amid a period of heightened tensions between the US and its traditional allies in Europe, in which Trump has stepped up threats to withdraw the country from NATO.
Aim to weaken the Alliance?
Experts have argued that the White House – now that it has become clear that the US cannot withdraw from the alliance – could instead take actions that undermine the alliance short of a full withdrawal. Such a scenario could include the withdrawal of US troops from Europe.
The US has more than 68,000 active-duty military personnel in Europe, according to data from the US Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). Germany hosts the largest contingent, with more than 35,000 troops in 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. German media put the number higher, around 50,000.
American interventions and pressures
It is noted that a few hours before Trump’s announcement of troops in Germany, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with German Foreign Minister Johann Vandefühl and they discussed Iran and the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Accordingly, later than that post, Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they discussed both Iran and Ukraine and the possibility of a temporary ceasefire there.
