Republicans ‘Concerned’ after Trump Threatens to Withdraw More US Troops from Germany

THE GUARDIAN: US announced withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers last week after German chancellor said US was being ‘humiliated’ by Iran

Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw more US troops from Germany after stunning European leaders and some senior members of his own party by last week announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers from Germany.

The move left 30,000 US troops still in the country, according to CNN. But Trump threatened on Saturday that more cuts were coming. “We are going to cut way down, and we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” he told reporters on Saturday.

Trump’s initial move to reduce US personnel in Germany came after German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran.

The Pentagon then announced on Friday it was withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany. The decision came after a “thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground”, a spokesman said. » | Sam Levine | Sunday, May 3, 2026

U.S. to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany, Pentagon Says

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Officials announced the decision after President Trump expressed annoyance with the German chancellor’s remarks about the Iran war.

Pentagon officials said on Friday that they were pulling 5,000 troops from Germany and would redeploy them to the United States and other posts overseas.

The Defense Department is also canceling a plan developed under the Biden administration to place a missile-equipped artillery unit in Europe.

The moves will return U.S. forces in Europe to the level they were in 2022, before Russia began its war in Ukraine, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the planning process. Last year, the Pentagon redeployed a brigade in Romania and did not send replacement forces.

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that the withdrawal would be completed over the next six to 12 months. » | Julian E. Barnes and Helene Cooper | Reporting from Washington | Friday, May 1, 2026

Trump has had yet another temper tantrum! So, what’s new? Friedrich Merz spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Obviously, Trump doesn’t like to hear the truth. — © Mark Alexander

READ ALSO:

How Germany Misjudged Trump’s Anger on Iran: After Chancellor Friedrich Merz upset President Trump with criticism of the war, he offered no public sign he believed Mr. Trump’s threats to pull troops were serious. »

À LIRE AUSSI :

Le Pentagone annonce le retrait de 5000 soldats américains stationnés en Allemagne : Cette décision, ordonnée par le secrétaire à la Défense, doit être mise en œuvre dans un délai d’un an. »

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Streit mit Merz eskaliert: Trump zieht 5000 Soldaten aus Deutschland ab – Pistorius reagiert: Nach dem angekündigten Abzug von 5000 US-Soldaten aus Deutschland gibt sich die Bundesregierung gelassen. Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius nennt den Schritt „absehbar“. »

Trump Tells Merz to ‘Fix His Broken Country’ in New Attack on German Chancellor

THE GUARDIAN: US president’s latest outburst comes a day after he suggested a ‘possible reduction’ in US troops in Germany

Donald Trump has again lashed out at Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, saying he should focus on “fixing his broken country” and trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war – and spend less time “interfering” in Iran.

“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump wrote in a social media post.

Merz should instead focus on “fixing his broken Country,” he wrote, “especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!”

Trump’s latest outburst came a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed, with a “possible reduction” of troops under consideration. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin and Jakub Krupa | Thursday, April 30, 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Says US Is Being Humiliated by Iran

Apr 27, 2026 | Merz says he doesn't see what exit strategy the US has in the war with Iran, warning 'an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards'

Trump Threatens to Reduce Troop Numbers in Germany amid Growing Row with Nato Allies

THE GUARDIAN: US president’s threat comes after Germany’s Friedrich Merz suggests Trump team is being outplayed in its negotiations with Iran

The US may reduce its number of troops deployed in Germany, Donald Trump has announced, days after the country’s chancellor said America was being “humiliated” by Iran.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said his administration was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time”.

On Monday, Friedrich Merz suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Iran to secure an end to the ongoing war and a reopening of the strait of Hormuz.

“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” the German chancellor said.

Merz reiterated his criticisms on Wednesday, saying Europe was “suffering” from the consequences of the closure of the strait. » | Jonathan Yerushalmy | Thursday, April 30, 2026

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Guerre au Moyen-Orient : « Il ne sait pas de quoi il parle », Donald Trump s’en prend au chancelier allemand sur l’Iran

LE FIGARO : « Les Américains n’ont visiblement aucune stratégie. Et le problème avec ce genre de conflits, c’est toujours que non seulement il faut y entrer, mais il faut aussi en ressortir », avait déclaré Friedrich Merz.

Donald Trump s'en est pris violemment mardi au chancelier allemand, Friedrich Merz, l'accusant sur son Truth Social de « ne pas savoir de quoi il parlait » sur l'Iran. Le dirigeant allemand avait asséné lundi que « les Américains (n'avaient) visiblement aucune stratégie » en Iran et jugé que Téhéran « humiliait » la première puissance mondiale. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 29 avril 2026

Friedrich Merz a raison, bien sûr. Trump est sans cap. Il est dans le pétrin. — © Mark Alexander

US Is Being ‘Humiliated’ by Iran’s Leadership, Says Friedrich Merz

THE GUARDIAN: German chancellor suggests Trump administration is being outwitted at negotiating table by Tehran

The US is being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, according to Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, who suggested the Trump administration was being outwitted at the negotiating table by Tehran.

Two days ago Donald Trump cancelled a trip by US negotiators to Islamabad for indirect talks with an Iranian delegation. A previous round in the Pakistani capital two weeks earlier, when JD Vance, the American vice-president, led the US delegation, broke up without progress.

Merz’s trenchant assessment of the stalled US-Iranian talks, which appeared certain to deepen the severe transatlantic rift between the US and its Nato allies, directly contradicts Trump’s effort to cast the limbo in a positive light.

A day earlier, the US president told Fox News: “We have all the cards,” adding that if Tehran wanted to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us”.

Speaking to students in Marsberg, Merz suggested it was Trump’s team that was being outplayed. “The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” he said.

“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.” » | Julian Borger | Senior international correspondent | Monday, April 27, 2026

Merz "erleichtert" über Wahlausgang in Ungarn

Apr 13, 2026 | Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz hat sich erfreut über den Wahlsieg des ungarischen Oppositionsführers Magyar gezeigt. Sein Sieg sei ein "klares Signal" für die Stärke europäischer Demokratien.

Péter Magyar hat mit seiner Tisza-Partei die Parlamentswahl in Ungarn mit deutlicher Mehrheit gewonnen und löst somit den amtierenden Regierungschef Viktor Orbán ab. Magyar kündigt an, Ungarn würde unter ihm wieder ein starker Verbündeter von EU und Nato.

Live: Germany Refuses to Join Iran War – Merz Explains Why in Address to Parliament | DW News

Mar 18, 2026 | Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is sharpening his tone on the Iran War. After initially supporting President Trump’s goal of toppling the Iranian regime, Friedrich Merz now says Germany will not join the war. He’s warning that it could have a “massive impact” on Germany's energy cost and that it has the potential to trigger large-scale migration.

Germany’s Leader Delivers a Blunt Warning to China on Trade

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out his complaints in a frank message to his hosts on a trip to Beijing that China had designed to showcase their relationship.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany arrived in China on Wednesday with an outstretched hand and a list of complaints for his hosts, asking for closer diplomatic ties but also relief from economic policies that he said were impeding “fair competition.”

Mr. Merz, who took pains before the trip to say he would not be “lecturing” Beijing, laid out his critiques in a speech at a meeting of the Advisory Council of German-Chinese Business, to an audience that included Premier Li Qiang, China’s second-highest ranking official.

The chancellor was more blunt and more specific in his criticism than other western leaders, including the prime ministers of Britain and Canada, who have recently trekked to Beijing to reset relations with China amid the turmoil caused by President Trump.

Mr. Merz called on China to reduce subsidies for its domestic manufacturers, to allow the value of its currency, the renminbi, to strengthen, and to ensure continued exports of raw materials, such as critical minerals — all of which would benefit German industry. Doing so, he said, would allow Germany and China to forge a tighter bond.

“In view of the uncertainties caused by customs policy that we see around the world,” Mr. Merz said, addressing Mr. Li directly, “we can now set a different example in our bilateral relations, through the reliability and security of the economic relations between our two countries.” » | David Pierson and Jim Tankersley | David Pierson reported from Hong Kong, and Jim Tankersley from Berlin. | Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Friedrich Merz’s Powerful Full Speech at the Munich Security Council: Iran, UK, EU-US Relations & International Tensions

Feb 13, 2026 | GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ ADDRESSING OPENING OF 62ND MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE. … This speech drew attention from world leaders and analysts for its direct commentary and policy insights.

US ‘Not Powerful Enough to Go It Alone’, Merz Tells Munich Conference

THE GUARDIAN: German chancellor rebuts idea of American unilateralism and says ‘democracies have partners and allies’

The US acting alone has reached the limits of its power and may already have lost its role as global leader, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, warned Donald Trump at the opening of the Munich Security Conference.

Merz also disclosed he had held initial talks with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, over the possibility of joining France’s nuclear umbrella, underlining his call for Europe to develop a stronger self-standing security strategy.

In a speech on Friday designed to set a firm yet conciliatory tone about the future of the transatlantic partnership, Merz argued the old order had ended and in this new age of superpowers even the US was reaching the limits of going it alone.

Referring to those that warned the international rules-based order was about to be destroyed, Merz said: “I fear we must put it even more bluntly. This order, however imperfect it was even at its best, no longer exists in that form.”

Switching to English to ram home his message, Merz said: “In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone. Dear friends, being a part of Nato is not only Europe’s competitive advantage. It is also the United States’ competitive advantage.”

“So let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together,” he added. » | Patrick Wintour in Munich | Friday, February 13, 2026

Full Speech: Germany’s Merz Declares Old World Order over, Warns against US Bullying at Davos

Jab 22, 2026 | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers one of the most consequential speeches at Davos, declaring the old world order broken and urging Europe to act with power, unity, and realism.

At the World Economic Forum, Merz outlines Germany’s new responsibility for Europe’s security, warns against US bullying under Donald Trump, backs Canada’s Mark Carney, and calls for a stronger, sovereign Europe within NATO.

Friedrich Merz, nouvel ennemi numéro un du Kremlin

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - En se posant en champion européen de la défense de l’Ukraine, le chancelier allemand s’est attiré les foudres de la Russie.

Pris en étau entre la Russie et les États-Unis, Friedrich Merz cherche sa place sur la scène diplomatique. Les deux poids lourds géopolitiques sont les seuls pays cités nommément par le chancelier élu en mai pour sa première présentation des vœux de Nouvel An aux Allemands. Avec l’ambition d’inspirer la confiance : « Nous ne sommes pas le jouet des grandes puissances. » Premier chancelier depuis Konrad Adenauer à atteindre l’âge de 70 ans en fonction, Merz considère que la liberté et la sécurité du continent sont directement menacées par la guerre à l’Est. « L’agression de la Russie faisait et fait toujours partie d’un plan qui vise l’ensemble de l’Europe, a-t-il prévenu. Chaque jour, l’Allemagne est victime de sabotages, d’espionnage et de cyberattaques. » » | Par David Philippot, Berlin | jeudi 1 janvier 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Die Neujahrsasnprache 2026 von Friedrich Merz

Der Bundeskanzler spricht zur Nation.

Friedrich Merz Challenges US Strategy, Calls Europe Fully Independent Now

Dec 9, 2025 | Friedrich Merz Challenges US Strategy, Calls Europe Fully Independent Now

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly questions parts of the new US National Security Strategy, warning that Europe does not need American intervention to “save democracy.” His comments come after Washington referred to “civilizational erasure” in Europe, raising concerns across EU capitals. This video explains the debate, the political signals from Berlin, and what this means for Europe’s independence and transatlantic relations.

Le chancelier allemand Friedrich Merz juge «inacceptables» certaines parties de la stratégie de sécurité de Donald Trump

LE FIGARO : Le dirigeant de la première puissance économique d’Europe a pris la parole lors d’une visite en Rhénanie-Palatinat (sud-ouest), région allemande abritant d’importantes bases militaires américaines.

Le chancelier allemand Friedrich Merz a jugé mardi que certaines parties de la stratégie de sécurité de Donald Trump étaient «inacceptables» du point de vue européen, ce document anticipant notamment l'«effacement civilisationnel» de l'Europe. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 9 décembre 2025

Volodymyr Zelenskyy due to Meet European Leaders for High-level Ukraine Talks | BBC News

Dec 8, 2025 | Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting key European leaders in London on Monday, as Ukraine's allies plan their response to an ongoing US push for Kyiv to accept concessions in peace talks.

The leaders of France and Germany will join Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at No 10 Downing Street as they seek to ensure any deal deters a future Russian attack.

The high-level meeting follows three days of talks in Florida, where Zelenskyy's chief negotiator pushed for changes to a White House plan widely considered to accommodate central Kremlin demands.

The US and Ukraine said there was progress but US President Donald Trump appeared to criticise Zelenskyy on Sunday, saying he "hasn't read" the draft.

35 Jahre Deutsche Einheit: Friedrich Merz hätte die BRD lieber mit Frankreich vereinigt

BERLINER ZEITUNG: In einer bizarren Zeremonie mit Präsident Macron anstelle von Stimmen aus dem Osten, klammert sich die Staatsspitze an eine vergangene Zeit.

Wer die Feier zum 35. Tag der Deutschen Einheit in Saarbrücken verfolgte, musste auf die Idee kommen, am 3. Oktober 1990 hätten sich nicht zwei deutsche Staaten, sondern die Bundesrepublik mit Frankreich vereinigt. Denn Ostdeutschland kam im Saarland kaum vor. Keine Redner, keine Musiker, nicht mal ein Moderator aus dem Osten. Die Veranstaltung stand unter dem nichtssagenden Motto: „Zukunft durch Wandel“. Gibt es irgendeine Zukunft ohne Wandel? Ist Wandel nicht Zukunft, die entsteht? Wahrscheinlich war gemeint: Nur, wer sich wandelt, hat eine Zukunft. Aber wie der Osten sich wandelt, das gefällt im Westen auch nicht. Vielleicht ging der Blick daher westwärts. » | Moritz Eichhorn | Freitag, 3. Oktober 2025

48-Stunden-Woche? Merz’ Plan geht an Deutschlands wahren Problemen vorbei

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Friedrich Merz will die 48-Stunden-Woche. Aber nicht die Beschäftigten bremsen Deutschland – sondern fehlende Produktivität und falsche Politik. Ein Kommentar.

Polemik gegen das Bürgergeld, Lästereien über „faule“ Deutsche und Kritik am überteuerten Sozialstaat. In den letzten Wochen hat sich die neue Bundesregierung beim Thema Arbeit in der Bevölkerung nicht gerade mit Ruhm bekleckert. Und nun kommt der nächste kontroverse Vorschlag. Friedrich Merz (CDU) will die 48-Stunden-Woche einführen und den Acht-Stunden-Tag beerdigen.

Beschäftigte sollen künftig bis zu 13 Stunden am Stück arbeiten dürfen – begründet mit dem Versprechen größerer Flexibilität. In Wahrheit steht dahinter dieselbe Logik, die Merz schon bei seinen Tiraden über die angeblich „faulen“ Deutschen bemühte: Wir müssen einfach länger arbeiten, dann kommt der Wohlstand zurück. Doch diese Logik ist nicht nur falsch, sie blendet auch die eigentlichen Probleme des Landes aus. » | Flynn Jacobs | Dienstag, 2. Oktober 2025

Diese Idee scheint mir sehr unklug zu sein! Wer in seinen wilden Träumen hätte geglaubt, daß die Deutschen faul wären, daß die Deutschen nicht lang genug arbeiteten? Sicherlich arbeiten die Deutschen schon jetzt lang genug! Die Wurzel Deutschlands wirtschaftliche Probleme müssen sicherlich anderswo liegen. Was will Friederich Merz eigentlich? Arbeiter bis zum Tode verarbeiten lassen und die Superreichen ihres luxuriösen Lebens weiter genießen können? So scheint es mir wirklich. Meines Erachtens scheint mir die Idee Futter für die AfD zu sein. – © Mark Alexander