GERMANY PERSPECTIVE

TRUMP PULLS 5,000 US TROOPS FROM GERMANY — AND THREATENS 'A LOT FURTHER': THE NATO FRACTURE DEEPENS

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DOMINANT ANGLE

Merz downplays the Trump dispute and denies any link to troop withdrawal, but confirms Tomahawk cancellation

Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media

ANALYSIS

Chancellor Friedrich Merz attempted to defuse the crisis on Sunday in an ARD interview: 'I am not giving up on working on the transatlantic relationship. And I am not giving up on working with Donald Trump,' he said, adding there was 'no connection' between his criticism of Washington's Iran strategy and the announced troop withdrawal.

Merz confirmed that the long-range Tomahawk missiles promised by Biden in 2024 will not be deployed in Germany, 'for now.' 'The Americans don't have enough themselves right now. Objectively, there is barely any possibility on their side to provide weapons systems of this type.' He nonetheless insisted: 'The train has not left the station.'

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the withdrawal 'expected.' 'That US troops are withdrawing from Europe and also from Germany was to be expected,' he said. 'We Europeans must take on greater responsibility for our security.' He also emphasized that US troop presence was 'in our interest and in the interest of the US.'

SOURCES (2)

The Local Germany

MEDIUM

NATO says 'working' with US to 'understand' decision to cut troops in Germany

Germany says withdrawal of US troops was 'expected'

Tagesschau

MEDIUMSTATE MEDIA

Merz zu den USA: 'Ich gebe die Zusammenarbeit mit Trump nicht auf'

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DOMINANT ANGLE

ANALYSIS

SOURCES (2)

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