Sharper disputes between Merz and Trump began on April 27. In one of the reckless remarks for which he is said to be famous, according to the Economist, the German chancellor told a group of schoolchildren that America “apparently has no strategy” for its conflict in Iran and that its adversary is “humiliating” it.
Trump’s retaliatory strike was swift. He told Merz that he should spend “more time fixing his broken country … and less time meddling in the affairs of those who are ridding themselves of the Iranian nuclear threat,” the president said in one of several attacks on social media. He subsequently promised to withdraw part of the 35,000 American soldiers stationed at bases in Germany.
The Pentagon subsequently announced a more precise plan – it is currently withdrawing at least 5,000 troops from Germany over the next 6 to 12 months. But the Americans reported about it without giving reasons or details. However, this may just be the beginning. And according to analysts, it would happen sooner or later even if someone other than Trump sat in the White House.
They have more soldiers only in Japan
The United States currently has more troops in Germany than anywhere else in Europe since the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.
According to the US Department of Defense Personnel Data Center, approximately 35,000 to 36,000 active-duty soldiers, as well as over 13,000 members of the National Guard, reservists and civilian personnel, are stationed in Germany.
That number includes personnel at Ramstein in southwest Germany, considered the largest overseas US air base.
When it comes to US military support for Germany, the situation is uncertain. A 2024 US commitment to supply Germany with long-range Tomahawk missiles – which have not yet been delivered – has not been renewed under the Trump administration, raising concerns in Europe about lingering gaps in deterrence against Russia.
The US has more soldiers from foreign countries than in Germany, only in Japan.
But as recently as 2020, Congress blocked a proposal to move 12,000 American troops from Germany either to other NATO member countries in Europe or back to the US, and President Joe Biden subsequently reversed this decision.
At the time, Trump accused Germany of “defaulting” because its defense spending was well below NATO’s target of 2% of economic output (GDP).
However, under the leadership of the Merz government, the situation changed dramatically.
Germany is expected to spend over 100 billion euros in 2027 – with total defense spending expected to reach more than 3 percent of GDP next year.
Last year, the US decided to reduce its military presence in Romania as part of Trump’s plan to shift the focus of US military engagement from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.
The announcement came a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to reduce the number of US troops in Germany and criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the US was “humiliated” by Iran.
Trump slammed Merz for his criticism of the Iran war, saying the German leader “doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” and called him “totally ineffective.”
They also argue about the economy
Another source of tension is trade. Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on EU exports, including cars, which would hit the German economy particularly hard.
But Merz took a moderate stance, even admitting some US frustration with stalled trade talks with the EU after Trump struck a deal with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland last July.
“Frankly, he is to some extent legitimately disappointed that we in the European Union still haven’t come to a conclusion,” Merz said. “We didn’t sign it. The Americans have it ready, the Europeans don’t.”
