Germany news: Merz plays down US military withdrawal plans

What you need to know

• Friedrich Merz insists ties with the US remain strong despite tensions
• Donald Trump threatens troop cuts and ramps up criticism of Germany
• Germany plans to keep border controls despite falling asylum applications
• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defends deportations of offenders to Afghanistan

Here is a roundup of stories from and about Germany on Monday, May 4, 2026:

EU's Kallas calls US troop withdrawal timing a surprise

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas has said the timing of a US troop withdrawal from Germany came as a surprise.

She said the announcement underscores the need to strengthen Europe's role within NATO.

"There has been talk about a withdrawal of US troops for a long time," said Kallas as she arrived at a gathering of the European Political Community in Yerevan. "But of course the timing of it, this announcement, comes as a surprise," she added.

The move comes after comments by Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticizing US strategy in Iran, though Berlin has sought to downplay any direct link.

Kallas said it was up to President Donald Trump to explain the decision.

Dobrindt vows to keep border checks despite fewer asylum seekers

Germany will maintain border controls despite a drop in asylum applications, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said.

He told the broadcaster ARD that the checks would remain in place for now, citing ongoing rejections at the border.

Dobrindt intensified controls in May 2025, building on measures introduced by his predecessor Nancy Faeser. He instructed federal police to turn back asylum seekers, with exceptions for vulnerable groups such as the sick and pregnant women.

He said Germany aims in the medium term to reform the European migration system so border checks can eventually be phased out, but added it was too early to say when that might happen.

The comments come as new asylum applications fell sharply. Germany recorded 6,144 first-time applications in April, down by about one-third from 9,108 a year earlier.

Dobrindt also said deportations of convicted criminals to Afghanistan would continue on a weekly basis, arguing the policy improves security and should not be questioned.

New EU border checks: How does the new EES system work?

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Merz stands by US ties despite troop withdrawal threat

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has insisted he will maintain close ties with Washington despite plans by Donald Trump to withdraw thousands of US troops.

Speaking on German television, Merz said he would not give up on transatlantic relations or cooperation with Trump, even as differences persist over the Iran war.

Merz said he was convinced that "the Americans are important partners for us, the most important in the North Atlantic Alliance."

He added that he must "accept" that the US president has a different opinion than the German government on issues such as the Iran nuclear deal. Nevertheless, Europe and the US have a "common interest" in "working together to end this conflict and then, for example, also the conflict, the war in Ukraine."

Regarding the announced troop withdrawal, Merz said: "It might be exaggerated a bit, but it's nothing new."

Trump has said the US would reduce troop levels in Germany by "well over 5,000," escalating an earlier announcement. Merz downplayed the move, saying this plan was not entirely new and had been framed more sharply.

Ramstein mayor: Air base a 'global gateway' for US military

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Welcome to our coverage

Hello and Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn, where we are enjoying the sunny weather.

You join us as Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to downplay US President Donald Trump's assertions that he will cut a large number of troops from Europe.

The chancellor said that such comments were "nothing new."

Stick with us to find out more about this and more of the news coming out of Germany today.