German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated he would advise his children against living or studying in the United States, citing a rapidly shifting social climate and limited opportunities for even highly educated people.
These remarks underscore growing tensions between the US and its European allies under President Donald Trump, with disputes over trade, the wars in Ukraine, and Iran straining the NATO alliance.
Merz previously angered President Trump last month by suggesting the US was being humiliated in the Iran war.
This was followed days later by Washington’s announcement of a partial troop withdrawal from Germany and increased tariffs on European Union cars, a sector where Germany holds significant strength.
Speaking to a young audience at a Catholic convention in Wuerzburg, Merz also cautioned against a “disaster mode” mindset regarding global affairs, urging Germans to embrace optimism about their own nation’s potential.
“I firmly believe that there are few countries in the world that offer such great opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany,” he said.
“I wouldn’t recommend that my children go to the US today, get their education there, and work there, simply because a social climate has suddenly developed there,” said Merz, a 70-year-old father of three.
“Today, the best-educated people in America have great difficulty finding a job.”
Merz took office in 2025 as a self-professed transatlanticist but has since criticised Germany’s most powerful ally.
Trump, in turn, said Merz should be spending more time on ending the Ukraine war, “where he has been totally ineffective”, and on “fixing his broken country”.
He added that the chancellor should focus on his immigration and energy issues and “spend less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat”.
His statement follows his previous criticism of Mr Merz over the war in Iran, after Mr Merz said the Iranians were humiliating the United States in talks to end it.
“I am a great admirer of America,” Merz told his audience. “My admiration isn’t growing at the moment,” he said to laughter and applause.