Overview
- Merz, speaking Friday at a Catholic gathering in Würzburg, said he would not tell his own children or young Germans to study or work in the United States and claimed even top graduates struggle to find jobs.
- The crowd laughed and applauded at times, while hecklers unfurled a climate banner and outside groups held counterprotests.
- The remarks extend a feud with President Donald Trump that began in late April over Iran and led the Pentagon on May 1 to announce a 5,000‑troop withdrawal from Germany.
- The chancellor said he had a "good phone call" with Trump the same day and posted that the two backed NATO and pressed Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump allies such as Richard Grenell attacked Merz’s stance, and news coverage questioned his jobs claim by pointing to lower U.S. unemployment than Germany’s and strong recent hiring.