Overview
- Speaking to a Catholic gathering in Würzburg on Friday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would not recommend his children study or work in the United States.
- He cited a changed social climate in America and claimed even top graduates struggle to find jobs, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
- Merz later posted that he had a good phone call with President Donald Trump and said the two countries remain partners in a strong NATO.
- Strains had already brought concrete steps after his April 28 Iran remark, with the Pentagon announcing on May 1 it would pull 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany and Washington raising tariffs on EU cars.
- Reaction split along media lines, as Breitbart highlighted lower U.S. unemployment to dispute his jobs claim while Politico underscored his Atlantik‑Brücke background to show how far his rhetoric has shifted.