Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, said he would not advise his children to work in the United States, according to recent reports.

Merz, who has been leading the CDU since 2022 and is considered a potential candidate for German chancellor in upcoming elections, made the remarks during what appears to be a public statement or interview. The context and specific reasoning behind his comments were not detailed in the available reports.

The statement comes at a time when Germany and the United States maintain close diplomatic and economic ties as NATO allies, though various policy differences have emerged on issues ranging from trade to defense spending. Merz's CDU party has traditionally maintained strong transatlantic relationships.

As opposition leader, Merz frequently comments on international affairs and Germany's relationships with other major powers. His party currently leads in polls ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government, positioning Merz as a key figure in German politics.

Neither the specific venue where Merz made these comments nor additional context about his reasoning was immediately available. The CDU leader's office has not provided further clarification on the remarks.