The leaders of several German states have appealed to the United States Congress to block president Donald Trump’s plans to withdraw US forces from Germany.
“We therefore ask you to support us as we strive not to sever the bond of friendship but to strengthen it, and to secure the US presence in Germany and Europe in the future”, the premiers of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate said in the appeal.
With their bases, combat units, military hospitals and other key infrastructure, the US armed forces in Germany form “the backbone of US presence in Europe and NATO’s ability to act”, the letter reads.
Germany hosts more US troops than any other country in Europe. Trump last month ordered the US military to remove 9,500 troops from Germany, cutting the number from 34,500 to 25,000. He cited Germany’s failure to meet NATO’s defence spending target as a reason. The White House has insisted the move would “enhance Russian deterrence, strengthen NATO, reassure Allies”.
Meanwhile, Congress members have been working on legislation that would prevent the president from starting the troop withdrawal.
