Trump tells Merz to ‘fix his broken country’ in new attack on German chancellor

Donald Trump has again lashed out at Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz , saying he should focus on “fixing his broken country” and trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war – and spend less time “interfering” in Iran. “The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump wrote in a social media post. Merz should instead focus on “fixing his broken Country,” he wrote, “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!” Trump’s latest outburst came a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed, with a “possible reduction” of troops under consideration. Between 36,000 and 39,000 US personnel are stationed in Germany, most of whom are at its two largest bases in Stuttgart and Ramstein – much fewer than at their cold war peak. Trump’s comments appear to have been triggered by Merz’s unusually blunt comments earlier this week, when the chancellor said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran and criticised Washington for having no exit strategy from the war. On Thursday, Merz sought to strike a more conciliatory tone at a visit to a German military base in Münster, stressing the importance of ties with Nato and the US, and criticising Iran for refusing to take part in peace negotiations. …