Germany says it expected Trump’s withdrawal of US troops as row over Iran comments grows – live

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German defence minister says American troops in Europe 'in our interest and in the US's'

now 04.17 EDT German defence minister says American troops in Europe 'in our interest and in the US's'

The German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has called on European allies to shoulder more responsibility for their security, after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany.

Pistorius said the presence of American soldiers in Europe was “in our interest and in the interest of the United States”, but added: “It was foreseeable that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany.”

View image in fullscreen German defence minister Boris Pistorius speaking at a defence ministry event on Tuesday. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock

Germany is the US military’s biggest basing location in Europe, with about 35,000 active-duty military personnel, and serves as a key training hub.

On Friday, the Pentagon said the withdrawal of troops was expected to be completed over the next six to 12 months.

The announcement came amid a public feud between the US president, Donald Trump, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after the European leader said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran.

Pistorius said Germany was “on the right track” in taking steps to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities, as he pointed to the expansion of its Bundeswehr armed forces, greater and faster procurement of equipment and the construction of infrastructure.