Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
US president Donald Trump has doubled down on his criticism of German chancellor Friedrich Merz, telling him to “spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine” and “fixing his broken country” after Merz’s criticism of the US war against Iran (15:46).
Trump’s latest outburst comes a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed with a “possible reduction” under consideration and a decision expected to be made shortly (10:01).
The falling out between the two leaders appears to have been caused by Merz’s unusually blunt comments earlier this week in which he said the US is being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, and criticised the US for no exit strategy from the war.
Without offering a direct response to Trump’s comments, the German chancellor sought to strike a notably different and more conciliatory tone at a visit to a German military base in Munster, stressing the importance of ties with Nato and the US, and criticising Iran for refusing to take part in peace negotiations (12:44).
Trump’s renewed attack on Merz’s record in government comes just days before his first anniversary in office (15:46).
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Germany 'prepared' for discussions on US troops reduction, but major withdrawal 'not up for discussion at all,' minister says
Meanwhile, Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul insisted that Germany was prepared for any decision from the US amid Donald Trump’s threats he could pull out some troops from the country and harsh criticism of the chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
Speaking during his visit to Morocco, he said in comments reported by AFP:
“We are prepared for that, we are discussing it closely and in a spirit of trust in all Nato bodies, and we are expecting decisions from the Americans about this.”
Any such decisions would “be discussed with us and with others, as is proper among allies”, he said.
While saying he was “relaxed” about the idea of fewer US troops in Germany, Wadephul said that large American bases in Germany are “not up for discussion at all”.
He said for example that the Ramstein airbase had “an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us alike”.
