EditKey developments include the announced withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany and a fresh announcement of higher tariffs on European cars and trucks
As the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran – now in its third month – drags on with a fragile ceasefire and stalled negotiations, President Donald Trump has sharply intensified pressure on European NATO allies, linking their perceived lack of support in the Middle East to economic and military measures.
On Friday, the Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany – home to the largest U.S. military presence in Europe – to be completed over the next six to 12 months.
Germany is home to some 35,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel, more than anywhere else in Europe.
The move rolls back some post-2022 buildups related to the Ukraine war and returns force levels closer to pre-invasion figures. Officials explicitly tied it to frustrations with European support for U.S. operations against Iran, particularly the refusal of allies to commit naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The decision followed sharp criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Iran was “humiliating the United States” and questioned Washington’s exit strategy. Trump and Pentagon officials called the remarks “inappropriate and unhelpful.” Trump has also threatened similar reductions in Italy and Spain, accusing both of failing to provide base access or other assistance.
German Chancellor Merz delivers blunt rebukes on Iran and Ukraine
On the same day as the troop announcement, Trump said he would raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week (from a previously agreed 15%), accusing the bloc of failing to comply with a trade deal. He wrote on Truth Social: “Based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States.” Vehicles produced in U.S. plants would be exempt.
The tariff hike, which hits major exporters like Germany and Italy particularly hard, comes amid the broader transatlantic rift over the Iran war. It adds an economic layer to Trump’s demands that Europe do more to support U.S. objectives – or face consequences.
In remarks on Friday Trump described U.S. Navy actions enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports in blunt terms: “We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business. We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates but we are not playing games.” The blockade, separate from Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has involved seizing Iranian vessels and contributed to elevated global oil prices.
Piracy is defined as a serious international crime under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law
Trump has repeatedly criticized EU allies for not helping secure the strait – a vital route for roughly 20% of global oil and LNG. In earlier statements, he told European nations to “Go get your own oil!” and “build up some delayed courage,” while singling out France, Britain, Italy, and Spain for insufficient support.
The U.S. Navy is blockading exports of Iranian crude oil. As of Friday afternoon, 45 commercial vessels had been stopped, according to the U.S. military.
Trump said on Friday he was not satisfied with the latest Iranian proposal for talks on the Iran war, while Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran was ready for diplomacy if the United States changes its approach.
Separately, Trump told leaders in Congress that he did not need their permission to extend the war beyond a Friday deadline set by law because the ceasefire had “terminated” hostilities.
“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal?” Trump said when asked about his options.
Trump added that “on a human basis,” he did not prefer the military course of action.
Global oil prices eased on Friday following news of the Iranian proposal, coming off Thursday’s four-year high. Benchmark Brent crude was down 1% to around $109.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his country was ready to pursue diplomacy if the United States changes what he called its “excessive approach, threatening rhetoric and provocative actions.”
With Reuters, edited by g.g.
Caption: US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House for Florida in Washington, DC, USA, 1 May 2026. Trump spoke about Iran, as well as about Spirit Airlines, saying his administration gave the airline a ‘final’ bailout proposal. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL
Updated: May 2, 2026 - 07:11
The arrest of ex-BND chief August Hanning is not a Russian plot, investigators say. The country’s wider exposure to foreign pressure is older and structural
Giorgia Meloni and Nicușor Dan rally the Friends of Cohesion against further cuts in the 2028–2034 budget, setting up a clash with the six frugal countries
Germany announces more than €1.3 billion in new aid, including air defence and energy support
The eviction that started Spain’s housing protests has ended in a hospital death, a general strike and a 29 November vote that still favours the right
Liège police have made 107 arrests since early October as pupils and students block schools over rising tuition, bus-pass prices and classroom shortages
Government advance reaches Mocha outskirts while Hormuz tanker traffic resumes but oil prices remain elevated near $100
Brussels drops the idea of membership before reforms and offers Ukraine gradual access plus farm sector limits
Croatia’s Mediterranean summit was meant to align nine southern governments before the European Council. The two largest arrive weakened, and one does not arrive at all
Production at the Mioveni plant has fallen from a peak of around 1,300 vehicles a day to approximately 1,060
A sequenced deal would open two Ukrainian accession clusters on 13 October if Kyiv passes education changes
3 hours ago
Ambassadors approved 1,646 names, more than half tied to ballistic-missile production, for formal adoption on 12 October
3 hours ago
The eviction that started Spain’s housing protests has ended in a hospital death, a general strike and a 29 November vote that still favours the right
4 hours ago
President Iliana Iotova called for a moratorium on hostilities in the Black Sea and for turning it into a zone of shared security
4 hours ago
Brussels drops the idea of membership before reforms and offers Ukraine gradual access plus farm sector limits
16 hours ago
For the first time in the last eight years, the Alliance’s full Military Committee met with counterparts in the capital of Ukraine
17 hours ago
Macron’s M51.3 launch from Le Vigilant, days after fresh Kaliningrad nuclear warnings, shows how Moscow’s habit of public ballistic tests and deterrent signalling has become contagious
21 hours ago
Liège police have made 107 arrests since early October as pupils and students block schools over rising tuition, bus-pass prices and classroom shortages
22 hours ago
Subscribe to our
