The transatlantic rift deepened on Tuesday as German opposition leader Friedrich Merz directly challenged US President Donald Trump over his plan to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany. Speaking ahead of a crucial European summit in Yerevan, Merz accused the Trump administration of undermining NATO's collective defence framework without consulting European allies.
Trump's decision, announced late last week, marks the largest unilateral reduction of US forces in Europe since the Cold War. The withdrawal affects key bases in Ramstein and Stuttgart, which serve as logistical hubs for NATO operations. Trump orders 5,000 US troops out of Germany, deepening transatlantic rift.
European Political Community Summit in Yerevan
Against this backdrop, nearly 50 European leaders convened in Yerevan for the eighth European Political Community Summit. The gathering, hosted by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, aims to strengthen ties between EU member states and non-EU countries across the continent. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also attended, underscoring the summit's broader geopolitical significance.
Armenia, which has sought closer integration with the European Union since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, used the summit to push for a deeper partnership. Yerevan hosts eighth European Political Community Summit as Armenia seeks closer EU ties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron were among the key speakers, with both emphasising the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security. Macron, speaking at the Élysée Palace before departing for Yerevan, said: "We cannot outsource our defence indefinitely. The United States remains a vital ally, but Europe must be able to act independently when necessary."
NATO's Future Under Strain
The troop withdrawal has reignited debates about NATO's long-term viability. Analysts warn that Trump's move could embolden Russia and weaken deterrence on the eastern flank. Trump's Germany troop withdrawal lacked strategic planning, sources say, raising questions about whether the reduction was coordinated with NATO command.
Bernd Lange, a German MEP from the Socialists and Democrats group, told Euronews that the withdrawal "sends a dangerous signal to Moscow and undermines decades of transatlantic cooperation." He called on EU leaders to accelerate plans for a European defence union.
Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome, also weighed in, noting that Italy could face similar pressures. Trump has previously threatened to reduce troop levels in Spain and Italy over disagreements on Iran policy. Trump threatens troop cuts in Spain and Italy over Iran war disputes.
Trade Tensions Add to Friction
The security dispute is compounded by escalating trade tensions. Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on European auto imports to 25%, accusing the EU of breaching a previous trade deal. The move would hit Germany's export-driven economy particularly hard, with BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz relying heavily on the US market.
Merz, who is leading the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) into next year's federal elections, has positioned himself as a staunch Atlanticist but warned that Trump's unilateralism risks fracturing the alliance. "We cannot accept decisions that affect our security being made without our input," he said in a statement.
The Yerevan summit is expected to produce a joint declaration reaffirming European commitment to multilateralism and collective defence. However, the absence of a unified European response to Trump's troop withdrawal highlights the bloc's internal divisions on defence spending and strategic autonomy.
As the summit continues, European leaders face the urgent task of reconciling their dependence on US security guarantees with the growing need for strategic independence. The outcome in Yerevan may shape the continent's defence posture for years to come.
