2 weeks ago
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz connected Friday (May 15, 2026) said helium would counsel his children against surviving oregon studying successful the United States astatine the moment, citing a rapidly changing societal climate and constricted opportunities adjacent for the highly educated.
The remarks item tensions betwixt the United States and its European allies nether President Donald Trump, with disputesnover trade, the wars successful Ukraine and present Iran putting the NATO confederation under strain.
Mr. Merz past period said the United States was being humiliated successful the Iran war, angering Mr. Trump. Days later, Washington announced a partial unit withdrawal from Germany and tariff hikes connected European Union cars, a assemblage wherever Germany is strong.
Speaking to a young assemblage astatine a Catholic normal successful Wuerzburg, Mr. Merz said radical were excessively prone to deliberation successful "disaster mode" astir the authorities of the satellite and urged Germans to consciousness much optimistic astir their ain country's potential.
"I firmly judge that determination are fewer countries successful the satellite that connection specified large opportunities, particularly for young people, as Germany," helium said.
"I wouldn't urge that my children spell to the U.S. today, get their acquisition there, and enactment there, simply due to the fact that a societal clime has abruptly developed there," said Mr. Merz, a 70-year-old begetter of three.
"Today, the best-educated radical successful America person large trouble uncovering a job."
Mr. Merz took bureau successful 2025 arsenic a self-professed transatlanticist but has since criticised Germany's most almighty ally. Mr. Trump, successful turn, said Mr. Merz should focus connected fixing his ain "broken country".
"I americium a large admirer of America," Mr. Merz told his audience. "My admiration isn't increasing astatine the moment," helium said to laughter and applause.
