Trump Orders Withdrawal of 5,000 US Troops from Germany, Imposes 25% Tariffs on EU Vehicles

U.S. troops from Germany, a move announced amid escalating tensions with Berlin over trade and the ongoing Iran conflict. The Pentagon confirmed the decision, which includes removing one full brigade and canceling a planned long-range fires battalion deployment.

The troop reduction follows a public dispute between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. S. was being humiliated by Iran and questioned its exit strategy from the war. In response, Trump called Merz totally ineffective in addressing the Ukraine war and urged him to focus on domestic issues.

U.S. He cited the EU's failure to comply with an existing trade agreement as the reason for the increase. The previous tariff rate was 15%, agreed upon in July 2025, which also reduced non-tariff barriers. The decision has drawn criticism from EU officials. S. side and pledged a firm response. The EU stated it remains committed to the 2025 deal and is keeping options open.

The Trump administration informed Congress that hostilities with Iran have terminated due to an ongoing ceasefire, eliminating the need for congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution. The 60-day deadline for such approval was set to expire on May 1, 2026.

Officials noted that no fire has been exchanged since April 7, 2026. President Trump sent letters to Congress explaining the position, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supporting the argument that the ceasefire stops the clock on the deadline. A senior administration official told reporters that the hostilities beginning February 28, 2026, are now over for War Powers purposes. S. S.

will not leave early and allow problems to resurface. Negotiations are ongoing by phone, but Trump indicated uncertainty about reaching an agreement. S. blockade of Iranian ports, and defer talks on Iran's nuclear program. S. imposed its blockade last month. S.

and Israel suspended bombing, no final deal has been reached, amid the largest disruption to global energy supplies on record. S. options in Iran as either making a deal or using military force to end the threat permanently. He said he prefers not to pursue the latter on humanitarian grounds but noted it remains an option.

He also commented on internal discord in Iran's leadership, suggesting progress toward unity but ongoing problems.

U.S. military presence in Germany dates to post-World War II, peaking in the 1960s with hundreds of thousands of troops during the Cold War. Key facilities include Ramstein airbase and Landstuhl hospital, used to support the Iran war and prior conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The withdrawal is set to occur over the next six to 12 months, following a Pentagon review. Iranian media reported the execution of two men, Yaghoub Karimpour and Nasser Bakarzadeh, accused of spying for Israel and Mossad. Karimpour allegedly passed information near the Natanz nuclear site, while Bakarzadeh collected details on officials and key locations. S.

Navy acted like pirates in enforcing the blockade of Iranian ports during the conflict.