Germany’s Chancellor, A Strong US Ally, Said He Wouldn’t Tell His Children To Go Live Or Work In The US Now
Merz told young people that Germany had more to offer than they might think.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would not recommend his children live or study in the US, as tensions between the US and its European allies continue to grow.
70-year-old Merz took office in 2025, calling himself a “transatlanticist” — someone who believes strongly in the US-Europe alliance — but his relationship with US president Donald Trump has been deteriorating recently.
In late April, Merz publicly criticized the US’ handling of the war on Iran, saying the US “clearly has no strategy” and that it was being humiliated by skillful Iranian negotiators.
Trump then called Germany a "broken country" and said he would review the US military presence in Germany.
Days later, Washington announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany and impose higher tariffs on European cars, one of Germany's biggest industries, threatening both its security and its economy, according to the Guardian.
On Friday, May 16, while speaking to a young audience at a Catholic convention in Wuerzburg, Germany, to call on young Germans to feel optimistic about their country's future, Merz said that he would not recommend his children go to the US today, to work or get their education there, "simply because a social climate has suddenly developed there.”
“Today, the best-educated people in America have great difficulty finding a job,” he said.
Merz said that people are too prone to think in “disaster mode” about the state of the world, but told young people that Germany had more to offer than they might think.
“I am a great admirer of America, but my admiration isn't growing at the moment,” Merz said.
You Might Also Be Interested In
Cherry Mohamed
Cici Xiao
