Trump threatens German troop withdrawals

President Trump has indicated that the United States will go 'a lot further' in reducing its military presence in Germany than the initial 5,000-troop withdrawal announced by the Pentagon.

The threat comes amid a heated public exchange between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over European support for the war in Iran.

Merz has sought to maintain a diplomatic tone, stating that Germany must accept the U.S. president's differing opinions to preserve the NATO alliance.

European leaders are increasingly viewing these threats as evidence that the continent must prepare to manage its own security independently.