The loss of 5,000 US troops in Germany is just the tip of the challenge facing Europe | CNN

Hardly a week passes without some new spat between the Trump administration and Europe. But in a year that has seen a major dispute over tariffs, US President Donald Trump threatening to annex Greenland and disagreements over aid to Ukraine, the most pressing threat facing Europe is the ongoing transatlantic rift over NATO. Trump has declared that the US will withdraw 5,000 – and probably many more – troops stationed in Germany, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the US handling of the Iran conflict, saying Tehran had humiliated Washington. Trump also took a swipe at Spain and Italy for not helping the US campaign against Iran. Asked if he would consider withdrawing US troops in those countries, Trump responded: “Probably… look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.” Spain has denied the US military permission to use its bases or its airspace for missions or strikes linked to the conflict. Trump’s criticism of Italy comes despite its Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, being a key ally. Trump has long complained that the US is unfairly shouldering the burden when it comes to western security,