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Trump escalates tensions with Europe threatening troop cuts and sharp attacks on German leader
International
Published on 1 May 2026
A troop pullback threat lands amid a fresh spat
Trump has intensified friction with Europe after attacking German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Merz’s criticism of the Iran war. Trump called him “totally ineffective” and warned he could cut the 36,400 U.S. troops stationed in Germany. The comments add to already strained transatlantic relations and raise questions about Europe’s security commitments to Washington.
- Trump attacked German Chancellor Merz over Iran war criticism
- He labeled Merz “totally ineffective” in the renewed exchange
- Trump threatened cuts to 36,400 U.S. troops in Germany
- The dispute deepens transatlantic tensions on security policy
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times