German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that while President Trump holds different views, cooperation within NATO is essential, dismissing any link between their disagreements and the announced US troop reduction in Germany. Merz reiterated his commitment to the alliance despite the planned drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he must accept that US President Donald Trump does not share his opinions to work with the United States within Nato but stressed there ‌was no link between their rift and a planned troop drawdown. Merz dismissed suggestions that his criticism of US war planning in Iran had sparked Washington’s Friday announcement that the US would reduce its military presence in Germany, its largest European base, by 5,000 soldiers, and repeated his commitment to the...