FILE – President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office at the White House, March 3, 2026, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday leveled a new threat against NATO ally Germany, suggesting he could soon reduce the U.S. military presence there as he continues to feud with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S-Israel war against Iran.
Trump made the threat after Merz earlier this week said that the U.S. was being "humiliated" by the Iranian leadership and criticized Washington's lack of strategy in the war. Trump has also repeatedly railed against NATO for the alliance's refusal to assist the U.S. in its two-month-old war.
"The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time," Trump said in a social media post.
Merz had said earlier Wednesday that his personal relationship with Trump remained "as good as ever," but he had "had doubts from the very beginning about what was started there with the war in Iran."
During his first term in the White House, Trump also moved to cut U.S. troops in Germany because he said the country spent too little on defense.
In June 2020, Trump announced he was going to pull out about 9,500 of the roughly 34,500 U.S. troops who were then stationed in Germany, but the process never actually started. Democratic President Joe Biden formally stopped the planned withdrawal soon after taking office in 2021.
The U.S. has several major military facilities in the country, including the headquarters for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest American hospital outside the United States.
Merz met with Trump at the White House in March, just days after the U.S. and Israel began their bombardment of Iran. At the time, Merz told Trump that Germany was eager to work with the U.S. on a strategy for when the current Iranian government no longer exists. Merz also expressed concern that an extended conflict could do great damage to the global economy.
His concern, like many other European leaders, has only grown as the U.S. and Iran have yet to come to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway through which about 20% of the world global oil supply had flowed prior to the start of the war. It has been effectively closed since the conflict began on Feb. 28.
"We are suffering considerably in Germany and in Europe from the consequences of, for example, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz," Merz said Wednesday, hours before Trump posted his threat on social media. "And in that regard, I urge that this conflict be resolved."
Merz added that his government was "on good speaking terms" with the Trump administration.
Trump, for his part, has hardly been containing his frustration with Merz.
On Tuesday, he wrote: "The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn't know what he's talking about!" Trump added that it was no surprise "that Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and in other respects!"
Rewards cards are frequently rolling out high-value welcome offers. If you’re a travel enthusiast like us at TPG, it’s likely you’re keeping your eyes peeled for standout bonuses.
This month, we’ve compiled five of our favorite cards with stellar offers right now. These range from top-tier business cards to cobranded options for your next trip — and you won’t want to miss out on the value.
Plus, there are even more limited-time offers available, so don’t stop your search here if none of these currently suit your needs.
Our favorite credit card welcome offers in April 2026
Card
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value*
Annual fee
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
$4,000
Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
$1,750 (including the value of the Global Companion Award)
$395
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during the first year.
$1,638
$95
Receive a $300 electronic Disney gift card immediately upon approval, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$600
$149
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends May 13.
$1,500
*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s April 2026 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Luxury-minded travelers who qualify for a business card will love the many perks that come with an Amex Business Platinum Card membership.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Why we love it: Carly Helfand, TPG’s director of points, miles and credit card content, loves the statement credits on her Amex Business Platinum, especially since they led to her enjoying up to $600 in hotel credits** last year. She said she’s already used the benefit twice — once last December for a stay at Wynn Las Vegas and once in February for a stay at the Andaz Prague.
Carly also loves the card’s Hilton statement credit of up to $50 per quarter on eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio***. She said she finds these credits super easy to maximize and recently used one to cover poolside dining charges at the Boeira Garden Hotel Porto Gaia, Curio Collection by Hilton in Portugal.
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**The hotel credits are received as two statement credits of up to $300 biannually on prepaid American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Business Platinum. The Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum.
***Enrollment is required. Separate Hilton for Business program membership is required.
The Atmos Rewards Summit is an excellent card for Alaska and Hawaiian loyalists, but there’s plenty for other types of travelers to love as well.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
Why we love it: Even though senior credit cards editor Giselle Gomez doesn’t live in an Alaska Airlines hub, she decided to open the Summit because she frequently flies with Oneworld alliance partners. She said she loves that she can rack up Atmos Rewards points to redeem them for flights with partner airlines.
Plus, the card earns 3 points per dollar spent on foreign purchases, which makes it an easy go-to option when she’s abroad.
The Venture Rewards stands out as a fantastic option for travelers looking to collect valuable rewards with simplicity.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during the first year.
Disney fans, listen up: The all-new Disney Inspire Visa can unlock massive savings for your next trip to the castle.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Receive a $300 electronic Disney gift card immediately upon approval, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why we love it: Senior points and miles editor Gabrielle Bernardini visits Disney World a few times a year, so she enjoys receiving a $100 statement credit each anniversary year (after spending $200 on U.S. park tickets) with the Disney Inspire.
This perk helps Gabrielle offset one of the biggest Disney vacation expenses: park tickets.
In the world of cobranded hotel cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant provides solid top-tier perks for those loyal to the brand.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends May 13.
Why we love it: Senior editor Christine Gallipeau initially added the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant to her wallet to receive the card’s automatic Platinum Elite status, which she knew she’d take full advantage of while traveling, as well as during staycations in the Washington, D.C., area with her hotel-loving pup. However, it now stays in her wallet for several other reasons.
In addition to enjoying late checkout and free breakfast at select Marriott properties, Christine also maximizes the card’s dining statement credits (up to $25 each month for eligible dining purchases worldwide). She also loves applying her annual free night award (worth up to 85,000 points; certain hotels have resort fees) toward a staycation each year at one of her favorite local hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where rates are often close to or over $1,000 a night.
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