German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday he would no longer encourage young people to move to the United States for study or work, citing what he called a worsening “social climate” in America.

Axar.az reports, speaking at an event in Wurzburg, Merz said he still admired the U.S., but added that his admiration was “not increasing.”

“I would not recommend to my children today that they go to the U.S. to get an education and to work,” Merz Stated.

The remarks come amid growing tensions between Berlin and President Donald Trump’s administration over foreign policy and NATO.

Despite recent disagreements, Merz later said he had a “good phone call” with Trump and stressed that Germany and the U.S. remain strong partners within NATO.