German Cities Fear Economic Hit From US Troop Pullout
German cities fear a major economic blow if US troops leave, with Handelsblatt warning of job losses and pressure on towns like Vilseck.
City authorities in Germany fear a serious hit to local economies if American troops are withdrawn from the country. Many experts are already comparing the possible fallout to the shutdown of major factories on which entire regions depend, Handelsblatt reports.
Earlier, US Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the Pentagon plans to withdraw 5,000 American servicemen from Germany within the next six to twelve months.
According to Handelsblatt, US troops do more than provide security. In several municipalities, they are also major employers, and mayors fear severe consequences if the contingent leaves.
The publication cites Johannes Kochems, the author of a specialized study, who said the departure of American forces could produce an effect comparable to the closure of town-forming enterprises.
Calculations by the Centre for European Economic Research and the University of Cologne show that, for every two American soldiers withdrawn, Germany effectively loses one job with social security contributions.
Among the most vulnerable communities, Handelsblatt names Vilseck in the Upper Palatinate. The town has a population of about 6,500, while roughly 5,000 US troops are currently stationed there. Across the wider region, around 30,000 Americans live, including family members of servicemen.
Their annual contribution to the local economy is estimated at €650–700 million. Against this backdrop, Vilseck’s new mayor, Torsten Grädler, described a possible US troop withdrawal as a dramatic blow to the economic and social life of the entire region.