German Chancellor Merz Downplays Rift With Trump Over US Troop Drawdown

‘I remain convinced that the Americans are important partners for us,’ Merz said.

President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office at the White House, on March 3, 2026. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has played down talk of a rift with U.S. President Donald Trump after the White House announced a big drawdown of troops stationed in Germany.

Last week, Merz—a conservative who became chancellor last year—said the United States appeared to have no strategy for the Middle East conflict and said it was “being humiliated” by the Iranian leadership.