There’s nothing the Germans can do except bluster and act petulant.
*IF* they were to push to get US troops out, it would be welcomed with open arms by many Americans who are beyond tired of paying for Germany’s defense.
*IF* they were to do anything on trade, need I remind everyone who has a trade surplus with whom? If that trade were to be slashed by several rounds of tit for tat sanctions, it is Germany that would suffer most of all since they run the largest trade surplus with America.
The Germans simply don’t hold any cards to play and have much more to lose.
AFAIK Merkel is a strong NATO supporter.
US-German trade war sounds even more stupid than that with China. What US has to trade with Germany?
As for Germany its export is pretty much unique.
Would you buy precision industrial equipment from China? Also no tariff would force Wall Street buys to ditch their Benzes.