Merz: ‘I Will Not Give Up on Transatlantic Relations’ Despite Trump’s Troop Cut Threats

BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to maintain strong ties with the United States despite President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from Germany, insisting that the transatlantic alliance remains vital to European security.

In an interview, Merz dismissed the idea that the relationship is irreparably damaged, characterizing Trump’s threats as part of a long-standing pattern of U.S. force posture adjustments.

“I will not give up on transatlantic relations. I will not give up on working with Donald Trump. What we’re hearing now is not new—it’s just more dramatic. The US regularly relocates its troops worldwide. There are still over 30,000 American soldiers in Germany.”
— Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany

📉 Trump’s Threat: 5,000 Troops to Be Withdrawn

On May 1, the Pentagon announced that it would withdraw approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, reducing the total American force presence from 36,000 to approximately 31,000 . A senior Pentagon official linked the decision directly to recent comments by Merz, which the official called “inappropriate and unhelpful” .

Trump had threatened an even larger reduction, telling reporters on May 2 that the cuts would be “a lot further than 5,000.” However, the official order issued by the Pentagon was for the 5,000 reduction .

🇩🇪 Merz’s Calculated Response

By noting that the reduction is “just more dramatic” than previous troop movements, Merz downplays the significance of the Trump administration’s decision. He also reminds his audience that the U.S. has pulled troops out of Germany before: the Clinton administration reduced the force from 250,000 after the Cold War, and the Obama administration cut another 5,000 in 2015-2016 .

Merz’s insistence that he will not give up on working with Trump is a signal to Washington that Germany will not be provoked into a diplomatic rupture, even as the Chancellor publicly criticizes U.S. policy in the Middle East .

🛡️ A Wary Eye on Russia

The German leader’s underlying message is that Europe still needs the U.S. security guarantee, especially given Russia’s war in Ukraine and the instability caused by the war in Iran. Russia has reacted to the U.S. drawdown by calling it a sign of “disarray” in NATO, but has also warned that it would take advantage of any weakening of the alliance .

Merz is trying to buy time — both for the European Union to increase its own defense spending and for the political situation in the United States to change. He may be hoping that a future administration (whether Trump’s second term or a potential successor) will reverse the withdrawal order .

📢 What Comes Next

Merz’s “I will not give up” statement is not an endorsement of Trump’s policies. It is an acknowledgment that Germany has no better option than to continue managing a difficult relationship.

Merz plans to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Berlin this week, where the troop withdrawal, the war in Ukraine, and the Iran nuclear file will all be on the agenda .

📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers

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