"We've lived with them for 80 years": Inside a German town that US troops could soon leave after Donald Trump's withdrawal threat

It was a nightmarish start for the new mayor, Thorsten Grädler. The 61-year-old won the election in the small German town of Vilseck, which is situated near the border with the Czech Republic, in March. Monday, May 4, was his first official day on the job.

And shortly after noon, a breaking news alert shocked the town and its 6,500 residents: Thousands of US soldiers from the local Stryker Brigade Combat Team might have to go home in the coming months, although official confirmation is still pending.

Grädler, visibly moved, told DW: "People's initial reaction was fear. After all, we've been living in close friendship with our American neighbors here for 80 years." Vilseck had become their "home away from home," the mayor said. "They feel at home here, far from their homeland. The Americans are integrated into our social life, in soccer and music clubs. Many even stay here after they retire."

Vilseck: A pawn in the game of powers?

The new mayor must feel as though he has been caught with full force between the grinding gears of geopolitics. US President Donald Trump, visibly angered by the lack of European support in the war with Iran and by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of US actions, recently announced new tariffs on European automobiles and a withdrawal of US troops from Germany.

Nearly 40,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Germany. The small town of Vilseck is located near Grafenwöhr, where the US maintains its largest military training area outside the United States. It covers 233 square kilometers (ca. 90 square miles). A troop withdrawal would have dramatic economic consequences for Vilseck and the entire region, Grädler explained.

"The military training area generates an economic impact of €650 to €700 million ($765 to $824 million). That includes construction contracts, major projects, supermarkets, auto repair shops, and rental apartments. With 3,000 jobs, it is one of the largest employers in the region." In addition, around €800 million is currently being invested in new infrastructure at the military training area, leaving Grädler to wonder: "Why expand and further modernize the site only to then withdraw the troops?"

A US troop withdrawal has been discussed before

Sabine Kederer is the owner of the historic Hotel Angerer, which is in its 14th generation and located just a stone's throw from Vilseck's town hall. She says she feels reminded of "Groundhog Day" right now: the famous film, in which lead actor Bill Murray relives the same day over and over again. She remembers going through almost the exact same experience just six years ago.

During his first term in office, Trump already threatened to withdraw thousands of US troops from Vilseck but this did not happen after Joe Biden became president.

Sabine Kederer's first thought upon hearing the news this time was: "Not again!"

"But I won't really start thinking about it seriously until the decision has actually been made," she said. "I don't have a Plan B yet. After all, 70% to 80% of the guests who stay here are here specifically because of the military training area."

While some residents of Vilseck accuse the German chancellor of forcing the community to bear the brunt of the dispute between the US and Germany, Kederer has a different take: "Perhaps he could have been a little more diplomatic, but I think it is important that our politicians speak up every now and then. One must be able to tolerate differing opinions."

US troop withdrawal: A turning point for Europe?

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Many want to stay

Veronika Varga, the owner of Vroni's Hundesalon, a dog grooming salon,  says her business is doing so well that, if necessary, she could survive even without her military clientele. But more than half of her customers are from the US. Her schedule to groom poodles, labradors and Bichon Frises is completely booked through the end of June.

"I'm currently receiving a lot of calls from people who are afraid they're going to be pulled out," Varga told DW. "They are booking appointments now for September, October and November because they're worried they won't be able to get any slots if they suddenly have to leave. We've never experienced anything like this here before."

Around 20 dogs enjoy her grooming services every day. When her two assistants, Rebecca and Emily, are on duty, that number can go up to 30. Emily (20) is from the US and started working at the salon two years ago.

She is enthusiastic about Germany and — still with a touch of disbelief — recounts the story of her own dog: One day, her dog ran away and she put flyers with his photo up across town, saying he was missing. It did not take long before someone called to tell her she could pick up her dog at the town hall. "I love it here — especially the tranquility, the forest, and the hiking trails. The thought of returning to the US scares me a little because although I was born in Florida, I haven't lived in the United States for a very long time."

Vilseck prepares for 'D-Day'

Many people in Vilseck still hope that the municipality will be spared another US troop withdrawal. Nevertheless, preparations for a worst-case scenario are already quietly underway. This is largely due to people such as Markus Graf, a career soldier for 25 years who grew up near the military training area. Now a construction contractor, he stands in front of two excavators on a seven-hectare site near Vilseck, an area slated to be turned into a business park by this August.

"We aim to attract industry and skilled trades to help cushion the impact of a potential US withdrawal, or a reduction in jobs," he esplained. "The site is also of interest to the defense industry, given its proximity to Grafenwöhr."

This article was translated from German.