German media reports that Donald Trump is withdrawing rockets from Europe, a move described as a “gift to Putin” and a threat to NATO’s deterrence.
Threat to Deterrence
German press is sounding the alarm over U.S. plans to reduce its military presence in Germany and cancel the deployment of a medium-range missile system, a key element of deterrence against Russia. Newspapers warn of negative consequences for NATO.
“Donald Trump is using the military for personal revenge. He doesn’t care about the security of European allies. Yet NATO needs the United States,” notes *Sueddeutsche Zeitung*, advising German Chancellor Friedrich Merz against reacting to Trump’s decision, as it could lead to “a new escalation of the conflict.”
Trump’s Actions Undermine NATO
A commentator for the newspaper admits that Merz’s suggestion that Iran humiliated the U.S. “was not reasonable.” Trump is retaliating by “smashing with a pneumatic hammer the foundations on which NATO stands, and thus the entire European security system.”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin “doesn’t have to strain himself to get closer to his goal of destroying NATO.” “Trump is doing the job for him” – weakening the Alliance politically, “preventing allies from being allies.”
Cancellation of Missile Deployment
According to commentators, Germany can cope with the departure of several thousand American soldiers. However, more concerning are reports that plans for a U.S. artillery unit equipped with medium-range missiles and cruise missiles, slated for deployment in Germany this fall, have also been canceled.
The project, agreed upon in 2024 by then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, was intended to be “a strong signal of deterrence to the Kremlin.”
*SZ* reports that the decision to halt the planned deployment followed a phone call between Trump and Putin. “If I were a pessimist, I would see this as an invitation to the Kremlin,” the commentator concludes.
Risk of Dependence on the U.S.
*Die Zeit* assesses that dependence on the U.S. is “an unbearable risk.” Germany should respond decisively to America, because “further attempts at appeasement make no sense.”
The newspaper views recent U.S. decisions – the announced withdrawal of troops, delays in arms deliveries to European allies, and the imposition of tariffs on cars imported from the European Union – as “a triple attack on the security and prosperity of Europe.”
A Gap in the Defense System
A decisive shift in the U.S. approach to Europe, according to the weekly, is the cancellation of the deployment of medium-range deterrent weapons, such as Tomahawk missiles. This will create a serious gap in the European defense system and signals that the U.S. “is withdrawing from the deterrence system in Europe.”
“Allies are being punished, and adversaries are being pandered to,” writes *Die Zeit*, suggesting that the announcement following a 90-minute conversation between Trump and Putin “is no coincidence.”
*Die Zeit* accuses the U.S. of firing over a thousand Patriot missiles and a thousand Tomahawk missiles, crucial for European security and deterring Russia, in a “senseless war in the Middle East.” This demonstrates priorities in U.S. security policy. After Merz’s election victory, he announced increased independence from the U.S. – the newspaper recalls, appealing to the chancellor to “get to work.”
Criticism of Chancellor Merz’s Stance
*Tagesspiegel* offers more criticism of Merz, recalling that immediately after the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, he expressed understanding for the decision and emphasized common interests with the two countries.
However, the chancellor has recently sharply criticized Trump, accusing him of lacking strategy and speaking of the U.S. being humiliated by Iran. While it is true that the regime in Tehran is not on the verge of collapse and Trump’s actions appear unplanned and helpless, is this sufficient reason to practice “zigzag politics”? Where has Merz’s strategic foresight gone? – asks the *Tagesspiegel* commentator, suggesting that in the current dispute with Trump, Merz is motivated by domestic political considerations.
Merz is under strong pressure, with his priorities being social welfare system reforms and the economy. The war in the Middle East is unpopular in Germany, and Trump is disliked, so showing understanding for Trump is viewed negatively in the country – he explains.
Consequences for German Interests
“Merz’s attacks on Trump are harming German interests,” the daily assesses. Trump increasingly looks down on NATO, and Germany and Europe are dependent on U.S. support.
The newspaper believes Merz is capable of reversing the U.S. position on reducing the number of U.S. troops in Germany. The restraint he showed at the beginning of the war was more sensible than the current abruptness with which he distances himself from the U.S. president – it emphasizes.
Discussions in Germany give the impression that opposing Trump and wishing him failure is more important than pursuing German interests. “This virus has now also infected the chancellor. That’s regrettable,” *Tagesspiegel* concludes.
