Germany’s Merz Rejects U.S. Pressure on European Migration Policy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed U.S. calls for tougher migration controls, saying Germany independently sets its policies and will not accept external guidance or pressure.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed back against a recent U.S. call for tougher migration controls, insisting that Berlin alone sets its migration policy and “requires no external guidance.” His remarks came after the U.S. State Department urged Western governments on X to adopt stricter measures to manage large-scale migration.

Merz said migration is a domestic matter and foreign governments should not interfere. “Germany formulates its policies based on its own assessments and needs,” he said, adding that the issue “is not an area for outside involvement.”

The U.S. message, which warned that uncontrolled migration could generate political strain and social pressure, triggered varied reactions across Europe. Several governments expressed discomfort over what they interpreted as Washington’s attempt to steer domestic debates.

Migration has long been one of Europe’s most contentious political and social issues. Rising asylum applications, security concerns and pressure on public services have heightened sensitivities, making foreign commentary especially unwelcome.

Germany, a primary destination for asylum seekers, has been at the center of Europe’s migration debate for years. The latest exchange with the United States reflects broader tensions over how Western nations should handle new waves of arrivals.

Analysts say transatlantic discussions on migration have increasingly exposed differing priorities: Europe grapples with immediate inflows at its borders, while the U.S. emphasizes broader geopolitical risks.

With migration expected to dominate political agendas in several European countries next year, German officials warn that any external pressure, particularly from Washington, will continue to be met with firm resistance. They stress that national sovereignty in migration policy remains a “non-negotiable principle.”

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