Defense Secretary James Mattis spoke by phone to his German counterpart on Thursday, underscoring the importance of the defense relationship between the United States and Germany and their membership in NATO.
The conversation was one of several the new defense secretary has had with counterparts from other countries this week, assuring allies of the U.S. commitment to its defense relationships.
Mattis spoke to German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, the Pentagon said in a statement, and assured von der Leyen "of the United States' enduring commitment to the NATO alliance."
"The two leaders discussed the importance of the alliance between the United States and Germany, both bilaterally and as members of NATO," Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said Thursday. "[Mattis] thanked Minister von der Leyen for her country's leadership in NATO activities on the Eastern Flank and in Afghanistan, and acknowledged the role that Germany plays in fighting terrorism, specifically in the counter-ISIL coalition."
"He also cited the strategic importance of Germany as the host to 35,000 U.S. personnel, the largest U.S. force presence in Europe," the Pentagon spokesman said.
Additionally, Mattis held phone calls with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday, similarly assuring them of the U.S. commitment to its bilateral relationship with both countries. Mattis also discussed "the importance of the NATO alliance" and counter-terror operations against the Islamic State in his conversation with the French defense minister.
Mattis, who was sworn in as defense secretary one week ago, has held several calls with foreign partners this week, including a conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and defense chiefs from Britain and Canada. Mattis is also due to visit South Korea and Japan next week on his first trip as defense secretary.
Mattis has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the United States' alliances and particularly NATO, signaling a departure from President Trump, who has at times criticized alliances and indicated that allies should be paying more for defense. Only a small number of NATO member states, the U.S. among them, actually meet their defense spending obligations in the alliance.
On Friday afternoon, Trump will visit the Pentagon to meet with Mattis and the Joint Chiefs of Staff before participating in the ceremonial swearing-in of his defense secretary.