Trump withdraws US troops from Germany and cancels missiles, imposes car tariffs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 5
Trump withdraws US troops from Germany and cancels missiles, imposes car tariffs
13 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 5
The measures include 5,000 troops from German bases, scrapping a 2024 Tomahawk deployment deal and immediate 25% tariffs on European carmakers after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised US Iran policy.
The missile cancellation and troop cut weaken Nato deterrence against Russia, while the tariffs threaten Germany's export-heavy car industry and add pressure to Merz's already strained coalition government.
The clash marks a sharp deterioration in US-German ties and may accelerate Berlin's push for greater European strategic autonomy as the Iran war diverts air defences from Ukraine and Europe's eastern flank.
Facing US tariffs and troop cuts, can Europe unite to build its own economic and military defense?
As US-Europe ties weaken, how will Russia exploit the growing security vacuum with its shadow warfare tactics?