Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J.
Austin III spoke by phone with German Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to reinforce the value the United States places on the bilateral defense relationship with one of our closest NATO Allies.
Secretary Austin and Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer exchanged views on areas for stronger U.S.-Germany cooperation on global challenges, including COVID-19, force posture in Afghanistan and Iraq, and combatting the malign influence of our shared strategic rivals.
Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude to Germany for continuing to serve as a great host for U.S.
forces, and expressed his desire for a continued dialogue on U.S.
force posture in Germany.
Secretary Austin noted the importance of Germany to the NATO Alliance and expressed his desire for continued consultation.
