Trump orders massive cut in US troops in Germany, handing blow to already struggling Nato alliance

‘It is not that surprising that Trump and Chancellor Merkel do not see eye to eye on many things. She is everything that he seems not to like, a strong leader upholding neo-liberal values,’ diplomat tells Kim Sengupta

Trump and Merkel do not see eye to eye on many things (AFP/Getty)

While Donald Trump was warning that he would unleash the US military on their fellow citizens taking part in protest marches at home, he was also ordering changes to troop deployment abroad, which would have far-reaching international repercussions.

The US president’s threat to use armed forces on demonstrations was the catalyst for unprecedented and withering condemnation from renowned former commanders. Generals James Mattis and John Allen and Admiral Mike Mullen were among those who publicly warned that Trump was now a danger to the nation.

Now it has emerged that Trump has demanded the permanent withdrawal of more than a quarter of American forces based in Germany. This has been done, it appears, with little consultation with fellow Nato members. The move is also said to be against the wishes of senior figures in the Pentagon and the State Department. White House officials, however, dispute this claim.