Trump threatens troop cuts in Germany, Europe as tensions rise over Iran war and NATO

US President Donald Trump has threatened to reduce US troops in Germany and other European countries as tensions between the US and its allies deepen over the Iran conflict and NATO policy.

Trump made the remarks after criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said earlier this week that the United States was being “humiliated” by Tehran and lacked a clear strategy for ending the war.

“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday night.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump also suggested troop cuts could extend to other European countries.

“I mean, they haven’t been exactly on board,” Trump said when asked about Italy and Spain.

“Yeah, probably will. Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely,” Trump added.

European leaders have pushed for diplomacy rather than direct military involvement in the Iran conflict, while concerns have grown over the US launching strikes without informing several NATO allies in advance.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a German member of the European Parliament, told CNN: “I would say that (Trump) is angry about a lot of things. So I think we really have to cool down.”