Merz insists Trump spat unrelated to US troop cuts from Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attempted damage control Sunday after the Trump administration announced plans to reduce American military presence in Germany, insisting the two disputes are entirely separate matters.

The troop withdrawal has “no connection” to recent tensions over Trump’s Iran strategy, Merz told broadcaster ARD, while reaffirming that the US remains “the most important partner” for Germany in NATO.

The friction began last Monday when Merz criticized Trump’s approach to the US-Israel war in Iran, characterizing it as “humiliating” to Washington and suggesting there was no clear exit strategy. Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul later attempted cleanup, claiming Merz was merely discussing Iran’s poor faith in peace negotiations.

Trump took the bait anyway. The president accused Merz of not knowing what he was talking about and threatened military withdrawal. On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made good on that threat, ordering the removal of approximately 5,000 troops over the next year. This represents a 14 percent reduction in US forces in Germany, which currently hosts about 36,000 American soldiers - more than any other European nation.

The same day brought additional pressure: Trump announced tariffs on EU automobiles, with Germany bearing the brunt given its automotive production dominance.

Merz’s sudden caution over the Iran situation marks a notable shift. Last year, he backed Israeli strikes on Iran as “doing the dirty work for all of us.” His recent hedging appears tied to economic concerns, as rising oil and commodity prices threaten Germany’s economy.

EU countries have largely refused direct participation in the Iran conflict or involvement in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Spain notably criticized the war publicly and closed its airspace to US military operations.

Trump amplified his message Sunday by sharing a far-right article titled “Trump Tells German Chancellor Merz ‘Fix Your Broken Country,’ Mulls Pulling U.S. Troops from Spain and Italy.”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged Saturday that the troop reduction “was foreseeable,” while emphasizing that Europeans must shoulder greater security responsibility. NATO said it’s working to understand Washington’s decision.