Donald Trump is to pull around 5,000 American troops from Germany after his war of words with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Defence officials revealed the President made his move in response to his European allies’ refusal to pitch in with offensive action in Iran.
Then, over the last few days, Mr Merz repeatedly attacked the US, claiming the Americans “have no strategy” in Iran, and were being “humiliated” by Tehran’s negotiators.
That led to the President writing on social media that the Chancellor “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and was “interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran nuclear threat”.
He later confirmed the US “is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany“.
In a further sign of where Mr Trump’s priorities lie, the officials told CBS News some of the troops may soon be sent to the Indo-Pacific – on China’s doorstep.
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the mass pull-out would take place within the next year.
“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” he said.
The withdrawal is also significant because Germany is, by far, home to the most American troops of any country in Europe.
Friedrich Merz repeatedly attacked the US, claiming the Americans ‘have no strategy’ in Iran
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Some 36,000 active duty personnel are in the country – almost three times the number in second-placed Italy, and more than triple that in Britain.
The British Army, by comparison, permanently stations around 500 personnel in Germany, though frequently rotates more troops to the country.
In Mr Trump’s first term in the White House, he tried to remove troops from Germany – a move which was later overturned by Joe Biden.
He also repeatedly attacked Nato during that time, but his attacks on the bloc have skyrocketed in the wake of Operation Epic Fury.
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The US has some 36,000 active duty personnel in Germany
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On that front, Iran has offered a new proposal for another round of peace talks with the US after the last round saw no deal made despite nearly 24 hours of negotiations.
The White House had rejected Tehran’s last offer because the Iranians wanted to resolve tensions over their nuclear programme at a later date.
At the time, JD Vance said in no uncertain terms the US needed “to see affirmative confirmation that Iran will not seek a nuclear weapon”.
But on Friday, Mr Trump vowed the US has “already won” the war – and that he was “not satisfied” with the new Iranian proposal.
Spain and Italy could be next on Mr Trump’s withdrawal shortlist
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After Germany, the US may also move to remove its soldiers from Spain and Italy thanks to tensions over Iran.
After Mr Trump initially threatened the Germans, he then expanded the scope of his pull-out promise to the other two Nato allies.
Asked about the possibility of cuts in the Mediterranean pair, the President said: “I mean, they haven’t been exactly on board.”
“Yeah, probably will,” he added. “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely.”
Spain – led by socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez – denied the Americans permission to use joint military bases at Rota and Moron for operations against Iran.
That was a step further than the UK, which limited American forces to “defensive” operations from joint UK-US bases.
