German lawmaker downplays Trump troop withdrawal – POLITICO

A lawmaker from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party said Tuesday he is not worried about U.S. plans to pull troops from his country — and he suggested those forces may be shifted to Poland or Romania.

“We are not concerned at all about the 5,000 troops because they will not be withdrawn,” said Roderich Kiesewetter, a lawmaker from the Christian Democratic Union, during the POLITICO Security Summit. “They will be posted as a sign of deterrence and resolve far more eastern in Europe. Be it to Poland, be it to Romania, that’s not an issue of concern, it’s an issue of strength to bring the troops — highly educated, very well trained troops — to the eastern flank.”

Pentagon officials were shocked in late April when President Donald Trump announced on social media that he planned to pull troops from Germany days after Merz said the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran. The Pentagon confirmed the U.S. will withdraw its troops, and Trump told reporters last week he “might” move troops from Germany to Poland.