Update/correction: Merz said exchange of words with Trump not reason for American withdrawal
There is no connection between the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from Germany and the public exchange of words between US President Trump and German Chancellor Merz. Merz stated this in an interview with the German broadcaster ARD.
Bet the troops would like to stay in Germany.
From Trump’s side it’s used as deflection from the fact that he has to send more troops into his not-war-but-military-operation anyway. Something he actually is good at - deflection and pretending.