berlin, germanyReuters —
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday that he would advise children not to live or study in the United States at this time, citing the rapidly changing social situation and limited opportunities even for highly educated people.
The remarks highlight tensions between the United States and its European allies under President Donald Trump, including disputes over trade, the war in Ukraine and now Iran, which is straining the NATO alliance.
Mertz infuriated Trump last month when he said the United States was being humiliated by the Iran war. A few days later, the U.S. government announced a partial troop withdrawal from Germany and increased tariffs on European Union cars, an area where Germany is strong.
Speaking to a young audience at a Catholic conference in Würzburg, Merz said people were too prone to thinking about the world situation in “disaster mode” and urged Germans to think more optimistically about their country’s possibilities.
“I strongly believe that there are few countries in the world that can offer such great opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany does,” he said.
“I would not recommend my children to go to the United States and get an education there and work there right now just because the social situation has developed so quickly,” said Mertz, a 70-year-old father of three.
“Today, America’s most educated people have a very difficult time finding work.”
Merz, a self-described transatlanticist who took office in 2025, has since criticized Germany’s strongest ally. In response, President Trump said Mertz should focus on rebuilding his “broken country.”
“I’m a huge American fan,” Mertz told the audience. “Right now, my admiration has not increased,” he said to laughter and applause.
