Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz is trying to ease tensions in relations with the United States after the White House decision to reduce the American military presence in Germany.
Source: Bukvy
In an interview with ARD, he said that a personal conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump was not the reason for the decision to withdraw around 5,000 American service members.
Previously, tensions between the politicians escalated after Merz criticized the U.S. strategy on Iran. The Chancellor spoke of Washington’s “humiliation” on the international stage, to which Trump responded with sharp criticism, calling him “ineffective.”
Despite this, Merz emphasized the importance of maintaining the partnership.
“I have to accept that the American president has a different view on these issues than we do. But that does not change the fact that I remain convinced: Americans are important partners for us,” he said.
The U.S. decision to reduce its troop contingent also affects earlier plans to deploy long-range Tomahawk missiles in Germany, which had been discussed under the Joe Biden administration. For Berlin, this means a revision of part of its defense strategy aimed at deterring Russia.
However, Merz stressed that Donald Trump never officially supported these plans and added that even the United States itself may face a shortage of such weapons.
He sees the reduction of the U.S. military presence not as a situational move, but as part of Trump’s long-term strategy to increase Europe’s defense responsibility. The Chancellor called on NATO allies to maintain unity despite political differences.