The US announced on Friday that it would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany , its largest ⁠European base, further straining its relations with Europe amid a rift over the Iran war and tariffs. President Donald Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces earlier this week after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised the US over the war in West Asia and said Iran was “humiliating” Washington in negotiations. Trump also threatened to reduce the US troop presence in Italy and Spain. The US has stationed tens of thousands of troops across its European bases, using them as logistics and launch sites for its wars. A significant chunk of these troops (around 40,000) is in Germany. This forward deployment (positioning forces close to potential conflict zones) is also a key part of NATO’s defences and its deterrent against traditional foes such as Russia.…