German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. File.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday (Might 15, 2026) stated he would advise his youngsters in opposition to residing or finding out in the USA at the second, citing a quickly altering social local weather and restricted alternatives even for the extremely educated.
The remarks spotlight tensions between the USA and its European allies underneath President Donald Trump, with disputesnover commerce, the wars in Ukraine and now Iran placing the NATO alliance underneath pressure.
Mr. Merz final month stated the United States was being humiliated within the Iran struggle, angering Mr. Trump. Days later, Washington introduced a partial troop withdrawal from Germany and tariff hikes on European Union vehicles, a sector the place Germany is powerful.
Chatting with a younger viewers at a Catholic conference in Wuerzburg, Mr. Merz stated individuals had been too liable to suppose in “catastrophe mode” about the state of the world and urged Germans to really feel extra optimistic about their very own nation’s potential.
“I firmly consider that there are few nations on the planet that provide such nice alternatives, particularly for younger individuals, as Germany,” he stated.
“I would not suggest that my youngsters go to the U.S. at this time, get their schooling there, and work there, just because a social local weather has immediately developed there,” stated Mr. Merz, a 70-year-old father of three.
“Right this moment, the best-educated individuals in America have nice issue discovering a job.”
Mr. Merz took workplace in 2025 as a self-professed transatlanticist however has since criticised Germany’s strongest ally. Mr. Trump, in flip, stated Mr. Merz ought to concentrate on fixing his personal “damaged nation”.
“I’m a fantastic admirer of America,” Mr. Merz informed his viewers. “My admiration is not rising in the mean time,” he stated to laughter and applause.
Revealed – Might 15, 2026 07:41 pm IST