tagesschau 20:00 Uhr, 02.05.2026

The May 2, 2026, edition of Tagesschau covers escalating tensions between the US and Germany under President Trump, including troop withdrawals, canceled missile deployments, and tariff hikes on EU vehicles. Other segments address fraying ceasefires abroad, a stranded whale's release, a major gospel event, Bundesliga action, and weekend weather.

US Plans to Pull Troops and Missiles from Germany

The US intends to withdraw around 5,000 soldiers from Germany in coming months, out of nearly 40,000 currently stationed there, including possibly from Ramstein Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the move as foreseeable, noting that close US military cooperation would continue despite it. The decision stems from Trump's anger over CDU leader Friedrich Merz's criticism that Iran's leadership humiliates the US. Union foreign policy spokesperson Johann Wadephul called it chaotic, lacking NATO processes, and likely pleasing Putin. The AfD welcomed it, arguing Germany must become self-reliant in defense alongside Europe.

Additionally, the US has scrapped plans—agreed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Joe Biden—to station mid-range missiles in Germany starting 2026. Experts highlighted risks from Russian missiles in Kaliningrad, which Germany lacks to counter; Europe now needs to develop such capabilities independently for security.