Daily brief
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is downplaying tensions with the US after a troop drawdown announcement, while also facing pressure from coalition partner SPD and FDP politician Strack-Zimmermann to show restraint. He defended his stance on Trump's Iran policy in a TV interview. Germany is putting on a brave face as the US drawdown is likely to cross 5,000 troops.
Berlin responds to US troop withdrawal and tariffs under Trump.
PM meetings are scheduled Monday with the EU defense commissioner and the German foreign minister.