Following Merz’s criticism of U.S. military strategy in Iran, Trump publicly rebuked him, announcing plans to withdraw thousands of U.S. soldiers from Germany and reconsider the deployment of intermediate-range missiles. This has raised concerns among security experts regarding Germany’s defense posture and the implications for NATO. While Merz advocates for de-escalation and emphasizes the importance of U.S.-German relations, critics argue that the German government has not sufficiently pursued European defense autonomy. The extent of Trump’s commitment to his threats remains uncertain, as both leaders navigate a complex diplomatic landscape.