Germany’s Merz downplays rift with Washington despite US troop drawdown

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has tried to downplay tensions with the United States after Washington announced plans to reduce the number of American troops in Germany. Merz said on Sunday that US plans to withdraw troops have “no connection” to the rift with President Donald Trump over his strategy in Iran. “I remain convinced that the Americans are the most important partner for us in the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO),” Merz told broadcaster ARD in an interview set to be fully aired later. Trouble started last Monday when Merz appeared to criticise Trump’s actions in Iran, where the US and Israel started a war without consulting Washington’s NATO allies. Iran was “humiliating” the US, Merz said, warning that Washington did not have a clear path out of the conflict. Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul later tried to walk back the comments, saying that Merz was referring to Iran’s “bad behaviour” in peace talks. That did not appear to remove the sting for Washington. Trump scolded Merz over the remarks, saying the German leader “doesn’t know what he is talking about” and threatening to withdraw American soldiers. On Friday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 American soldiers over the next 12 months. That’s expected to cut the number of US troops in the country by about 14 percent. Germany hosts the highest number of US troops in Europe—about 36,000 soldiers. Italy hosts about 12,000, with 10,000 in the UK. Trump also ann