Germany says 'prepared' for any US troop reduction

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (second from right) attends an exercise of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in Munster, Germany, Thursday. Merz wanted to gain an impression of the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr and its planning. EPA-Yonhap

BERLIN — Germany said Thursday it was "prepared" for a possible reduction in U.S. troops threatened by President Donald Trump, while also stressing the importance of a "reliable transatlantic partnership."

Trump had said Wednesday that the United States was considering redeploying some of the tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed in Germany amid a row with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war in Iran.

Speaking during a visit to Morocco, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said: "We are prepared for that, we are discussing it closely and in a spirit of trust in all NATO bodies, and we are expecting decisions from the Americans about this."

Any such decisions would "be discussed with us and with others, as is proper among allies," he said.

Merz earlier said that Germany's approach to the war in the Middle East "remains oriented toward a united NATO and a reliable transatlantic partnership."

Berlin was "in close and trusting contact with our partners, including and especially in Washington," he said, without directly mentioning the Trump threat.

"We are doing this in our shared transatlantic interest. We are doing it with mutual respect and a fair sharing of burdens," he added.

"This transatlantic partnership is particularly close to our hearts — both to us as a whole and to me personally, as you know."

Merz became a target of Trump's ire after saying earlier this week that Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table.

Trump said Tuesday that Merz "thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn't know what he's talking about!"

Then, in a post on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, Trump said the United States was considering reducing the number of its troops in Germany.

Wadephul said that the idea of U.S. troop reduction was "to be honest, not at all a new message," adding that the prospect had been raised by previous U.S. presidents.

While saying he was "relaxed" about the idea of fewer U.S. troops in Germany, Wadephul said that large American bases in Germany are "not up for discussion at all."

He said for example that the Ramstein Air Base had "an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us alike."