Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw thousands of US troops from Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly accused Washington of being “humiliated” by Tehran in stalled negotiations to end the Iran war.
Trump posted on Truth Social that the US is “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time”, before launching a fresh tirade telling Merz to focus on the Russia-Ukraine war and “fixing his broken country, especially Immigration and Energy”.
Around 36,000 US active-duty personnel are stationed in Germany, the largest US foreign deployment outside Japan.
Merz, visiting Bundeswehr troops in Münster, did not mention Trump by name and quietly reaffirmed the transatlantic relationship.
Berlin is pressing on with plans for Europe’s strongest conventional army by 2039.
Top US General Confirms Russia Aiding Iran War
US General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Russia is “definitely” providing material
1 May 2026
