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U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday attacked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Truth Social, asking him to "spend less time interfering" in ongoing Washington-Tehran talks.
"The chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (where he has been totally ineffective!) and fixing his broken country, especially immigration and energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran nuclear threat, thereby making the world, including Germany, a safer place," read Trump's post on social media.
The post followed the U.S. president's previous remarks that Merz didn't have any problem with Iran possessing nuclear weapons. The statement itself was a result of Merz's earlier comment that Iran was "humiliating" the U.S. at the negotiating table.
He also told Merz to spend more time on "ending the war with Russia/Ukraine," where he has been totally ineffective," and on "fixing his broken country, especially immigration and energy."
Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, said Berlin was "prepared" for any U.S. troop reduction, while stressing that major American bases in Germany were "not up for discussion at all."
Speaking in Rabat during his visit to Morocco, Wadephul responded to the prospect of U.S. troop reduction.
"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 must be discussed with us and with others, as is proper among allies," he said.
He also said the prospect was "to be honest, not at all a new message" and had been raised by previous administrations going back to President Obama's Pacific pivot.
Wadephul said he was "relaxed" about the idea but was categorical on certain installations: "The Ramstein Air Base has an irreplaceable function for the United States and for us alike. Large American bases in Germany are not up for discussion at all."
He said Germany was increasing defense investment and building a stronger European NATO pillar, which would "also to some extent relieve the Americans."
Defending Chancellor Merz, Wadephul said, "The chancellor issued a completely correct and clear warning to Iran to now negotiate seriously. That was what the federal chancellor said. It was correct, I defend it."
Merz, visiting the Munster training ground in Lower Saxony on Tuesday, did not directly address Trump's post.
He said Germany and the U.S. were operating "side by side, shoulder to shoulder for mutual benefit and in deep transatlantic solidarity," calling it a good sign that the commanding U.S. general for Europe and Africa had attended a joint exercise at Munster.
Merz called for increased sanctions pressure on Iran, saying, "Iran's military nuclear program must be ended. There must be no more strikes against Israel and partners in the region."
According to U.S. Defense Department data, approximately 68,000 U.S. troops were permanently stationed on European bases as of December 2025, with more than half, approximately 36,400, in Germany.
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