In an interview with the DW, NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, highlighted the importance of Germany’s role in the NATO alliance, saying that both NATO and the world “need more Germany leadership”. He said, “We all need Germany to play an even more important role because Germany is the largest economy in Europe.” He also acknowledged that Germany was increasingly investing significant portions of its GDP in defence. Further, he said that with the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s contribution to European security following Brexit, the need for “strong multilateral institutions” has increased. Stoltenberg argues that this heightens the need for greater involvement of Germany in regional and international matters.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to withdraw almost 9,500 troops from Germany, reducing the number of troops stationed in the country from 34,500 to 25,000. The US contends that this had been in the works since September 2019 due to an increase in spending by NATO, and was unrelated to German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refusal to attend a G7 meeting this month. A Trump administration official said that while some troops would return to the US, others would be deployed in Poland and “other allied countries”.
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Soon after, Donald Trump criticised Germany for not spending even 2% of its GDP on defence. He has also criticised other European members of the NATO for failing to work towards their promise to expend at least 2% of their GDPs on defence budgets by 2024. He said, “We’re protecting Germany, and they’re delinquent. That doesn’t make sense.” Further, he said, “Until they pay, we’re removing our soldiers, a number of our soldiers.” A day after this comment, Stoltenberg said that there was no confirmed timeline or solidified plan on the withdrawal of US troops from Germany. This was taken as an indication that the decision could be reversed if Germany agrees to increase its budget.
Trump’s apparent threat has generated both concern and criticism from Germany, as it fears that Europe’s NATO-led defence will be left vulnerable as a result of American withdrawal. The US accounts for 70% of NATO’s defence spending and contributes more troops than any other country. This is explicitly alarming in light of the growing military ambitions of the Russian leader, Putin, with Russia’s relations with the West hitting an all-time low since the cold-war. In the past, US troops have played an essential role in deterring Russian aggression in the region.
Stoltenberg also warned that the presence of American troops in Europe was not only essential for the military interests of the bloc, but also that of the US. He said, “Peace and stability in Europe add to the security of North America.” The vast majority of US military flights to Iraq or Afghanistan go through an American base in Ramstein, Germany. Similarly, the US military has a hospital in Landstuhl to treat combat injuries for soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, US Africa Command military missions are ‘coordinated’ from Stuttgart. Most importantly, however, US troops deter Russian aggression in the region.
The presence of American troops in Germany is a consequence of the Convention on the Presence of Foreign Forces in the Federal Republic of Germany, which was signed and ratified in 1954. According to the Convention, the US and seven other members of NATO would be allowed a permanent presence in Germany.
Image Source: Voice of America