In break from Trump policy, US to deploy more troops in Germany

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announces an additional 500 troops, soothing German fears of a drawdown planned by Trump.

The United States will station 500 more military personnel in Germany to strengthen bilateral ties, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at the start of his first official visit to Europe. The move pivots the administration of President Joe Biden away from his predecessor Donald Trump, who set out to reduce troops and shift military commands from Germany over allegations the key NATO ally did not pay its fair share towards defence. “Today I am happy to announce that we will be increasing the US force presence in Germany,” Austin told reporters after talks with his counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Berlin on Tuesday.