US defense officials said it will take years to relocate the troops. "They're there to protect Europe, they're there to protect Germany, and Germany is supposed to pay for it," Trump added. Defense officials, however, said Wednesday that the decision on where to house the US troops leaving Germany was not influenced by whether the new host country was meeting the 2% target. Of the troops leaving Germany some 5,400 will be "staying in Europe," the official said. Defense officials said this will cost billions of dollars as new military construction will likely be required both in Europe and the US to house the additional troops.

Source: CNN July 29, 2020 13:16 UTC