As the world grapples with Donald Trump’s America First agenda, Americans visiting France are feeling a palpable shift in perceptions. From subtle changes in behavior to more overt displays of disdain, the impact of his policies is being felt across the globe.
The world is grappling with the implications of Donald Trump‘s see-sawing quest to upend the global trading system, and the impacts are being felt not just on stock markets and businesses but also in subtler ways. For Americans visiting France, the effects of his policies are palpable.
While there are no indications that Americans are any less welcome here than before, the shock and anger generated in Europe by events of the past week have added fuel to perceptions of a much larger transatlantic rift. The sudden sense of shame and embarrassment felt by some American tourists in Paris is a stark reminder of this shift.
Paris, the capital of France, has been a favorite destination for American tourists for centuries.
The city's stunning architecture, art museums, fashion, and romantic atmosphere make it an ideal getaway.
According to the French National Statistics Office, in 2020, over 1 million Americans visited Paris, making it one of the top international tourist destinations.
Visitors can explore famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum, which houses the Mona Lisa painting.
Strolling in bright sunshine across the immaculately raked gravel of Paris‘s Tuileries gardens, Barbara and Rick Wilson from Dallas, Oregon, were not exactly in disguise. But earlier that morning, on their very first trip to France, Rick had taken an unusual precaution. He covered up the Stars and Stripes flag on the corner of his baseball cap with a small piece of black tape.
‘We’re sick about it. It’s horrible. Just horrible,’ said Rick, as he and his wife contemplated the sudden sense of shame and embarrassment they said they now felt, as Americans, following President Trump‘s abrupt moves on global trading tariffs.
The impacts of Trump‘s policies are being felt not just in stock markets but also in subtler ways. The forecasting company, Oxford Economics, is already predicting an 8.9% drop in the number of French people traveling to the US this year compared with 2024. Another recent analysis found that a remarkable 78% of French expatriates living in the US are now ‘particularly pessimistic’ about their future in the country.
Orders for Philippe Gloaguen‘s travel guides about the US have plummeted this year, while sales of books about Canada and other countries have risen. The founder of Le Guide du Routard notes that his French readers are beginning to view America in a similar light, framing his publication as a sort of global democratic weathervane.
Americans are far from united about their government’s actions, and much of the evidence for changing sentiments is anecdotal. However, there are already some discernible effects on travel, tourism, academia, and other fields. Nicolas Conquer, an enthusiastic Trump supporter and dual French-American citizen, acknowledges ‘some volatility’ but argues that a ‘media narrative’ is creating a false impression of strained transatlantic relations.
According to the United States Department of Commerce, international travel from the United States generated $251 billion in export earnings in 2020.
The majority of American tourists (77%) are between the ages of 25 and 54.
Americans prefer visiting “Europe”, with 40% traveling to Western Europe, followed by Asia Pacific (21%), and Latin America (16%).
The most popular activities among American tourists include sightseeing (62%), shopping (44%), and visiting cultural events (35%).
On the other hand, concern about the Trump administration’s recent actions and rhetoric – not just in relation to tariffs but also regarding Ukraine and Greenland – is widespread across France. Politicians, newspapers, and television talk shows have all been busy dissecting the changes, often in a tone of bitter disillusionment.
The Trump administration, which lasted from 2017 to 2021, implemented several key policies across various sectors.
In economics, the administration introduced tax cuts and deregulation efforts aimed at stimulating economic growth.
The administration also renegotiated trade agreements, including NAFTA and the US-China trade deal.
In foreign policy, the administration withdrew from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal.
Additionally, the administration increased military spending and implemented a travel ban targeting several countries.
In practical terms, the result has sometimes been to offer support to perceived victims of the Trump administration. French scientific institutions, backed by the French government, are beginning to offer places to American researchers who’ve lost their jobs due to cuts in government funding. Elsewhere, there are indications of nervousness about simply traveling to the US.
A prestigious social studies institute in Paris recently sent its students a warning, following reports of foreigners being questioned about their political beliefs and refused entry. The professor at EHESS wrote: ‘We urge you to be extra vigilant when traveling abroad… During border checks, some security services may require the unlocking of digital devices to view information, including private information.’
Relations between Paris and Washington have survived many previous shocks, but France‘s friendship with the US has never been as unconditionally special as that claimed by some. The French adore Hollywood cinema, country music, and the allure of the American Dream, but they have kept some distance too – shunning what’s known here as ‘Le Woke-isme’ and celebrating President De Gaulle’s determination to build an entirely French-owned nuclear deterrent separate from both Nato and the US.
As Kerry Halferty-Hardy, the President of the American Club of Paris, noted: ‘The shared values of liberty and the Enlightenment linking France and the US are not easily dislodged and certainly not on the basis of one administration.’ However, she acknowledged that ‘no one can ignore what they’re seeing in the headlines.’
The impact of Trump‘s America First agenda on French-American relations is a complex issue. While there are still many Americans who support the president’s policies, there are also growing concerns about the effects of his actions on international relations and global trade. As the world watches the unfolding drama, one thing is clear: the relationship between France and the US has never been more nuanced.
