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Donald Tusk has warned "Nato is disintegrating" after Donald Trump withdrew thousands of troops from Germany. Defence officials revealed the US President made his move in response to his European allies' refusal to pitch in with offensive action in Iran. Then, over the last few days, Chancellor Friedrich Merz repeatedly attacked the US, claiming the Americans "have no strategy" in Iran, and were being "humiliated" by Tehran's negotiators. That led to the President writing on social media that the Chancellor "doesn't know what he's talking about" and was "interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran nuclear threat". TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The development led to Mr Tusk to assess the role of the Western alliance on Saturday in a social media post. He wrote on X: "The greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance. "We must all do what it takes to reverse this disastrous trend." President Trump later confirmed the US " is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany ". In a further sign of where Mr Trump's priorities lie, the officials told CBS News some of the troops may soon be sent to the Indo-Pacific - on China's doorstep. In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the mass pull-out would take place within the next year. He said: "This decision follows a thorough review of the Department's force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground." A Nato spokesman said the alliance was working with the US to "understand the details" behind the plan to withdraw thousands of American troops. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Donald Trump pulls 5,000 troops from Germany after bitter row with Chancellor Donald Trump threatens to pull troops out of Germany after leader said US was 'humiliated' by Iran Donald Trump prepares 'powerful' strikes on Iran after Vladimir Putin warns of 'dire consequences' They added: "This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security." Some 36,000 active duty personnel are in the country - almost three times the number in second-placed Italy, and more than triple that in Britain. The British Army, by comparison, permanently stations around 500 personnel in Germany, though it frequently rotates more troops to the country. Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defence minister, insisted the withdrawal was "foreseeable". A Nato spokesman told The Telegraph the alliance was working with the US to "understand the details" behind the plan to withdraw thousands of American troops. They added: "This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security." In Mr Trump's first term in the White House, he tried to remove troops from Germany, a move which was later overturned by Joe Biden. He also repeatedly attacked Nato during that time, but his attacks on the bloc have skyrocketed in the wake of Operation Epic Fury. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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