Merz: More than 30,000 US troops still stationed in Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Berlin will not abandon transatlantic cooperation or its relationship with the United States, despite ongoing discussions about the American military presence in Europe.

In an interview with ARD, he said the currently discussed changes to the US military presence are not new, but have simply taken on a more “dramatic” tone, Caliber.Az reports.

“I will not give up on transatlantic relations. I will not give up on working with Donald Trump,” Merz noted.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

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… pic.twitter.com/i2N0RU0pwe

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 4, 2026

He added that Washington routinely reallocates its forces around the world, emphasising the presence of American troops in Germany.

“The United States regularly redeploys its troops globally. More than 30,000 American soldiers are still stationed in Germany,” the chancellor stressed.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that the number of American troops in Germany will be reduced by significantly more than 5,000 personnel. 

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov