U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called the nation’s 2016 presidential election “downright embarrassing.” He made the comment after meeting the Mayor of London. He was asked how the campaign was affecting the country’s ties with other countries.

“This election has been difficult for our country’s perception abroad. There are moments when it is downright embarrassing,” Kerry said.

“There are times when it steps out of any norm that I’ve known, and I ran for president in 2004. I could never have imagined debates that were not focused on real issues.”