Walking under the radiant sun on the meticulously arranged gravel of the Tuileries gardens in Paris, Barbara and Rick Wilson, hailing from Dallas, Oregon, certainly stood out. Earlier that morning, during their inaugural visit to France, 74-year-old Rick had taken an unexpected precaution.
Before leaving the hotel, he applied a small piece of black tape to the Stars and Stripes flag on the corner of his baseball cap.
We are deeply troubled by the situation. It’s dire. “It’s just horrible,” remarked Rick, reflecting on the wave of shame and embarrassment he and his wife now experience as Americans in light of President Trump’s sudden actions regarding global trading tariffs.
Barbara, 70, carried a Canadian lapel pin in her pocket, a thoughtful gift from a fellow tourist. She believed it could serve a purpose should the need for further subterfuge arise.
Many citizens are expressing their disappointment in the nation’s current state. She expressed her frustration regarding the tariffs.
Just a short distance away, amid the throngs assembling outside the Louvre Museum, another American couple was trying to maintain a more subdued presence than typical. Chris Epps, 56, an attorney from New York, opted for a distinctive wardrobe for today’s tour.
No cap featuring the New York Yankees. I left it at the hotel. Individuals may approach us and interact with us in a varied manner. “However, everything has been proceeding well thus far,” he remarked.
As the global community navigates the complexities of Donald Trump’s fluctuating efforts to disrupt the international trading landscape, the repercussions extend beyond stock markets and corporate entities. The effects manifest in more nuanced ways in France, a nation that has long drawn significant tourist traffic from North America. This relationship, steeped in history and occasionally fraught, continues to evolve amidst the shifting dynamics of international trade.
It is important to note that no signs suggest Americans are any less welcomed here than in the past. Interviews with a diverse group of tourists occurred just before President Trump decided to reverse several tariffs.
The past week’s events have sparked significant shock and anger across Europe, intensifying perceptions of a broader transatlantic divide and signalling a potential shift in the foundational dynamics of international relations.
The situation is still in its infancy, naturally. Divisions among Americans regarding their government’s actions remain pronounced, with much evidence for shifting sentiments being largely anecdotal.
Already, noticeable impacts are emerging in travel, tourism, academia, and various other sectors.
“It’s a significant decline,” remarked Philippe Gloaguen, the founder of France’s renowned travel guides, Le Guide du Routard. He spoke from his cluttered desk in Paris, highlighting that orders for his books focused on the US have decreased by 25% this year alone.
Gloaguen had no complaints. In reality, it is quite the contrary.
Customer satisfaction is a source of great pride for me. The individuals in question are characterized by their youth, strong educational backgrounds, and a commitment to democratic principles. This reality applied to both Putin and China. “We recognize the signs of a dictatorship in a country,” he stated, suggesting that his French audience is starting to perceive America comparably.
“They are reluctant to invest their money in the United States,” Gloaguen remarked, positioning his publication as a global indicator of democratic sentiment.
He observed that the sudden decline in US sales was offset by an increase in the sales of books focussing on “Canada and other countries.”
Recent findings from the travel industry suggest a rising sense of disillusionment with the United States. Oxford Economics, a forecasting firm, has projected an 8.9% decline in French travelers heading to the US this year compared to 2024.
A recent analysis of French expatriates living in the United States revealed that 78% express a “particularly pessimistic” outlook regarding their future. Additionally, a poll conducted in March among individuals in France indicated that 73% believe the US is no longer considered an “ally.”
During a morning coffee at a café in Paris, Nicolas Conquer, a passionate supporter of Trump and a dual citizen of France and America, who heads the Republicans Abroad Paris branch, recognized the existence of “some volatility” due to the tariffs. However, he contended that a prevailing “media narrative” was fostering a misleading perception of tension in transatlantic relations.
“I remain steadfast in my position, emphasizing that France and the United States share a long-standing alliance,” Conquer stated, asserting that any adverse response to Trump’s America First policy stems from a perspective he described as ‘childish or immature’ regarding international relations.
“It is widely recognized that the need for robust sovereignty and a deep sense of patriotism is paramount. As supporters of Trump rally around the ‘America First’ mantra, it is anticipated that…” “European governments would prioritize the UK, Germany, and France,” stated Conquer.
“They are reluctant to invest their money in the United States,” Gloaguen stated, positioning his publication as a global indicator of democratic sentiment.
He observed that the sharp decline in US sales was offset by an increase in the sales of books focused on “Canada and other countries.”
Recent findings from the travel industry suggest a rising sense of disillusionment with the United States. Oxford Economics, a forecasting firm, has projected an 8.9% decline in French travelers heading to the US this year compared to 2024.
A recent analysis of French expatriates living in the United States reveals that an astonishing 78% express a “particularly pessimistic” outlook regarding their future. Additionally, a poll conducted in March among individuals in France indicated that 73% believe the US is no longer considered an “ally.”
In a Parisian café, Nicolas Conquer, a fervent supporter of Donald Trump and a dual citizen of France and the United States, discussed the current political climate over a morning coffee. As the head of the Republicans Abroad Paris branch, he recognized the “some volatility” stemming from tariffs. Still, he contended that the prevailing “media narrative” was misleading, fostering an inaccurate perception of transatlantic relations.
“I remain steadfast in my position, emphasizing that France and the United States share a long-standing alliance,” Conquer stated, further asserting that any adverse response to Trump’s America First policy stems from a perspective he deems “childish or immature” regarding international relations.
“It is widely acknowledged that the importance of robust sovereignty and patriotism cannot be overstated. As supporters of Trump rally around the ‘America First’ mantra, it is anticipated that…” “European governments would prioritize the UK, Germany, and France,” stated Conquer.
