German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that he must accept that President Donald Trump does not share his opinions in order to work with the United States within NATO, but stressed there is no link between their rift and a planned troop drawdown

“I have to accept that the American president has a different view on these issues than we do. But that does not change the fact that I remain convinced that the Americans are important partners for us,” Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview due to be aired later on Sunday.

Asked whether US plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany had anything to do with the spat between the two leaders, Merz said, “There is no connection.” Trump called for a reduced U.S. military presence in Germany already during his first term and has repeatedly called on Europeans to take greater responsibility for their own security.

Merz said Trump had never committed to this plan and that it was unlikely the US would give up such weapons systems, adding, “If I’m not mistaken, the Americans don’t have enough themselves at the moment.”