German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he no longer views the United States as the land of opportunity, telling a conference of young Catholics in Würzburg that he would not advise his children to study or work there due to what he described as a rapidly shifting social climate. Merz, who has long been regarded as a transatlanticist, cited severe political polarisation and a difficult job market, even for highly educated Americans, as key concerns. The remarks drew immediate backlash from Trump allies, including former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, and come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Berlin over trade tariffs, military deployments, and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.