Anti-American Sentiment Increases Caution for Traveling Americans

Julia Kelley

After introducing controversial war plans and import taxes, Donald Trump’s recent proposals have escalated negative attitudes toward American tourism worldwide.

Anti-Trump Protest in London. alisdare1. CC BY-SA 2.0.

During the 20th century, the United States found itself a burgeoning political, economic and cultural world power, gaining increasing international influence. However, since President Donald Trump’s recent inauguration in January 2025, a string of controversial political and economic decisions has seen a subsequent drop in warm foreign sentiments toward the United States. In populations across the globe, those who perceive America as a positive influence number only 46%. Notably, Trump proposed that the U.S. “take over” and “own” Gaza in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict, resettling the population at the same time. These claims were met with widespread condemnation from countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, all of whom fiercely rejected the plans and saw them as a violation of the numerous peace agreements between the countries. This contributes to a revival of anti-American views in the Middle East since the beginning of the Israel-Palestine war, as many view the U.S. government as a domineering and pro-Israel force. Despite garnering support from Israel, Trump’s remarks have also been opposed by other powerful countries like China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Brazil, who consider the proposed relocation of Gaza’s citizens to be an extreme misstep in power. 

More recently, Trump has introduced a vast set of tariffs that his administration affirms will secure the economy. Not only did this legislation drastically damage global markets, but many affected countries considered it a threat of global tariff war and an insult to the good relationships between foreign economies. Although the current U.S. tariff plans exclude Canada, an initial tariff placed on Canadian imports increased tensions between the two countries and resulted in a call to boycott American products, naming the U.S. as an enemy. American product boycotts have also been staged in Europe, with U.S. favorability falling across countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Germany and France. For example, the Danish Facebook group Boykot varer fra USA (Boycott products from USA) has amassed over 95,000 followers, while setting fires to Tesla cars has sprung up as part of the “Tesla Takedown” movement in Italy, a protest against Elon Musk’s involvement in international affairs. China has also seen a rise in anti-American perceptions, coinciding with Trump’s decision to place the largest tariff increase on the country at 104%. 

In the wake of such turbulent politics, discontent toward America has grown. Overseas travel to the U.S. has declined exponentially in the last few months, seeing an overall drop of 12% in foreign visitors from the previous year. Regions that are usually strong sources of tourism show stark differences, with the number of Canadian tourists dropping by 32% and Mexican tourists by 17% as of March 2025. In many online forums, those from other countries are making their views of Americans known, presenting an overall negative reception of tourists. On a European Reddit forum, user @Iplaymeinreallife from Iceland said, “we want nothing to do with him [President Trump] or a country that would vote him into office a second time,” while user @Mapey from Latvia noted how, despite their initial love for America, they now “hate it to the bone as America stands for absolutely everything” they despise. Americans already face stereotypes while traveling abroad, generally characterized as loud, ignorant or entitled, but such labels are becoming more frequent. More than anything else, countries have replaced an admiration for the U.S. with widespread confusion and antipathy for Trump. In turn, this festering distaste finds itself projected onto American travelers and their experiences, disrupting their hoped-for escapism. 

As a result of this U.S. resentment, international travel has become increasingly risky. In a survey done by Global Rescue, 72% of people noted that Americans traveling abroad will be perceived more negatively, while many had already encountered disputes. One California-based traveler described how they “experienced much more negativity,” while a Wyoming tourist reported having “numerous arguments about American policy” with people they did not know. Some travel agencies are also seeing drops in sales for international travel by Americans, and prospective tourists have begun flooding online travel forums with questions asking if it is safe to travel or if foreign countries will accept them. Many, in an effort to avoid the anti-American attitude altogether, have simply cancelled planned trips and tours. New strategies are being taken by those currently abroad as a way of curbing any possible anti-American sentiment, as noted in Rick Steves’ European forum. One poster, named Emily, describes how she has “made an effort to appear less American” while living in Austria, and another, named Volva, in the UK, says it is important not to start any political discussion. Despite where they are in the world, however, Americans abroad and international citizens alike note that rising political tensions have left a lasting impact on the country’s once-amiable image.

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Julia Kelley

Julia is a recent graduate from UC San Diego majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Art History. She is passionate about cultural studies and social justice, and one day hopes to obtain a postgraduate degree expanding on these subjects. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Tax Incentives Drive Gentrification in Puerto Rico

Kleigh Carroll

Wealthy investors and tech entrepreneurs are buying up land in Puerto Rico, driving up property rates and forcing locals out of their neighborhoods.

Street in San Juan, Puerto Rico. R9 Studios FL. CC-BY-2.0.

The island of Puerto Rico struggled with an economic recession from 2006 to 2017, during which the economy contracted by 10% and unemployment shot up to nearly 15% at its peak. To draw in foreign investment and stimulate economic growth, the government passed legislation designed to attract tech, finance and wealthy investors to the island. The first of two acts, Act 20, provided tax incentives for companies that establish and expand export services businesses in Puerto Rico. The second, Act 22, provided a total exemption from income taxes on all interest and dividends realized after an individual becomes a bona fide resident. The laws were further revised and repackaged in 2019, now known collectively as Act 60.  

Living in a United States territory, residents of Puerto Rico normally benefit from a unique tax status that exempts them from federal income tax. However, Act 60 does not apply to long-time residents of the island. As a result, the incentives have only worsened income inequality and exacerbated a mass exodus of Puerto Ricans to the United States. 

Brock Pierce speaks at a conference. Sebastiaan ter Burg. CC-BY-4.0.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which ravaged the island in 2017, U.S. crypto investors saw an opportunity to take advantage of tax incentives. They hoped to rebuild a part of the capital, San Juan, into what they called “Puertopia” — a modern city run on virtual money and public contracts. Members of this community who flocked to the island included men like Brock Pierce, co-founder of the digital currency Tether, and social media influencer Logan Paul. Upon moving to the island in 2017, Pierce and his partners took over numerous properties, including a beachfront hotel in Vieques and a museum in Old San Juan. They made grand promises to revitalize the economy using blockchain, refurbishing historic neighborhoods and building their own airports and docks. 

But there is little evidence that wealthy newcomers like Pierce have done anything to stimulate economic growth on the island. Instead, they have contributed to a surge in housing prices, driving up the cost of living for locals and displacing Puerto Rican families, especially in coastal towns like Rincon, where beachfront property is prime real estate. Housing prices in San Juan increased by 22% between 2018 and 2021 as tax law beneficiaries spent an estimated $1.3 billion on real estate between 2015 and 2019, according to research conducted by Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce. 

Golf resort in coastal Puerto Rico. Your Golf Travel. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

According to the 2023 census, the median household income in Puerto Rico is $25,096 — less than a third of the median household income in the United States. Many locals forced to relocate have to commute longer distances and pay expensive tolls. Marina Reyes Franco, an art curator at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in Puerto Rico, told the Guardian that she has struggled to find affordable housing in recent years. She blames the tax laws, claiming, “At the end of the day, this is about a new era of colonialism and laws that only benefit the elite.”  

Gentrification culturally erodes communities and contributes to a loss of heritage and identity. Not only does it mean that locals can no longer afford to live in the places they call home, but an influx of wealthy newcomers can alter the character of neighborhoods, displacing local businesses, cultural institutions and the unique cultural fabric of Puerto Rican communities.

Solidarity With Puerto Rico Rally in Chicago, Illinois. Charles Edward Miller. CC BY-SA 2.0.

GET INVOLVED:

#AbolishAct60 is a grassroots movement aimed at repealing Act 60. By using social media to raise awareness and inspire collective action, they encourage the Puerto Rican diaspora to put pressure on their representatives. Help amplify their message here.

Diaspora en Resistencia is a nonprofit utilizing social media to mobilize support through online petitions demanding that the Puerto Rican government take action.

You can also petition your representatives to reevaluate Puerto Rican tax policies. U.S. lawmakers, including Chuck Schumer and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have already spoken out against the measure. 

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Kleigh Carroll

Kleigh is a student at UC Berkeley studying Geography and Journalism. She hopes to integrate her skills in these fields in pursuit of a career in journalism. She is passionate about being outside, exploring, and writing in all of its forms. 

Vietnam’s Floating Markets Are Disappearing

Kennedy Kiser

Climate change, migration and tourism are reshaping life on the Mekong Delta’s rivers.

Bananas being traded at the Cai Be floating market in Vietnam. McKay Savage. CC BY 2.0.

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, boats once crowded with fruits, vegetables and steaming bowls of noodle soup now drift by in dwindling numbers. The iconic floating markets, such as Cai Rang in Can Tho, are in decline. Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion have transformed daily life in the delta, threatening these vibrant centers of commerce and culture.​ These markets have been around for generations, and in the 1990s, were major trade hubs. But today, many of these boats are gone.

The decline is largely environmental. The Mekong Delta, which supplies half of Vietnam’s rice and a third of its GDP, is being overwhelmed by rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion. Climate change has intensified these threats, but human activity plays a role too. According to Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, the overuse of groundwater, upstream hydropower dams and sand mining have all accelerated the erosion and subsidence of the delta. As saltwater continues to creep further on land, fertile rice paddies turn sterile and make freshwater harder to access. For boat vendors, this means fewer crops to sell, higher transportation costs and increasingly unreliable river routes.

Saltwater intrusion impacts farmland in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. AFP. CC BY 4.0.

This decline in floating markets severely impacts local families, especially those who depend on the markets. Many vendors face dwindling incomes, leading to increased migration to urban areas in search of better opportunities. For instance, Nguyen Thi Thuy, a former farmer, was forced to leave her home due to saltwater intrusion and now works as a security guard in Ho Chi Minh City. Just a decade or two ago, her income from selling fruit on the water would have been enough to sustain a family.

Aerial view of storm surge over Thi Nai Bay, Quy Nhon, 1969. Bill Gann. CC BY 2.0.

Adding to this shift is an increasing generational divide. Many younger residents no longer see a future in river-based life. Education and tech-based jobs in the cities hold more appeal than selling local produce. In part, local governments are struggling to maintain these markets as an increasing number of vendors’ children choose to leave instead of inheriting the family business. As fewer people choose to stay, the floating communities face cultural erosion.

Passenger ferries at a harbor in Vietnam. Rachel Claire. CC0.

Tourism presents both challenges and opportunities for the preservation of floating markets. While increased tourist interest can provide economic benefits, it can also lead to cultural commodification and environmental degradation. Some markets that have become more tourist-oriented have, in turn, seen their authenticity and traditional practices diminish.

However, efforts are underway to balance tourism development with cultural preservation. In 2016, the Can Tho City People’s Committee approved the Preserving and Developing Cai Rang Floating Market project. This project aims to promote tourism and environmental hygiene while transforming Cai Rang into a “hub for the Mekong Delta’s agricultural products.”.

The future of Vietnam’s floating markets hinges on sustainable practices that honor their cultural significance while adapting to environmental realities. Community engagement, responsible tourism and environmental conservatism are key to ensuring the survival and success of these markets. As the Mekong Delta navigates the challenges of climate change, preserving the unique heritage of its floating markets remains crucial.

Boats at the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho, Vietnam. pixiduc. CC BY 2.0.

For travelers hoping to experience the floating markets, visiting with care and intention matters. Cai Rang in Can Tho remains the largest and most accessible market. It is best visited early in the morning when trading is at its peak. Smaller markets like Phong Dien offer a local, less touristy atmosphere and are perfect for travelers seeking a quieter glimpse of daily life. Opt for small, locally operated boat tours and avoid bringing single-use plastics that could end up in the river. Supporting vendors by buying fresh produce or food dishes directly from their boats will not only enhance your experience but also help maintain these communities. By traveling mindfully, visitors can help preserve the spirit of Vietnam’s floating markets for generations to come.

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Kennedy Kiser

Kennedy is an English and Comparative Literature major at UNC Chapel Hill. She’s interested in storytelling, digital media, and narrative design. Outside of class, she writes fiction and explores visual culture through film and games. She hopes to pursue a PhD and eventually teach literature! @kennedy_kiser

What Happened to Australia’s ‘Stolen Generation’?

Zoe Lodge

A look into the history and consequence of removal practices against indigenous Australian youth, the “Stolen Generation.”

Indigenous Australian children. Mark Roy. CC BY-SA 2.0.

From the early 20th century until as late as the 1970s, Australia carried out a government-sanctioned campaign that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families in a bid to assimilate them into white society. While much global attention has focused on the legacy of boarding schools for Indigenous children in North America, similar practices were inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples under British colonial rule, often with the encouragement of the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian institutions. These efforts left generational scars, contributing to the systemic inequality and social fragmentation that persist into the modern day.

This dark chapter in Australian history is commonly referred to as the “Stolen Generation.” According to a report conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which investigated comparable initiatives across the globe, roughly one in three Indigenous children in Australia were forcibly taken from their homes between 1910 and 1970. These children were placed in church- and state-run institutions or sent to live with white families that exemplified Western values, where they were stripped of their language, culture and identity. The underlying goal, both ideological and colonial, was to “civilize” these children by erasing their cultural roots and integrating them into a white-dominated society.

These practices were grounded in a racist belief system that deemed white Australian culture, rooted in Western European culture, inherently superior. Authorities at the time regarded the removal of Indigenous children as a moral duty and a practical solution to what was referred to as “the Aboriginal problem.” In reality, the result was a trauma that has rippled through generations. Children taken from their families frequently endured physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and, in many cases, sexual assault. They were often treated as cheap labor and denied access to adequate education and healthcare.

Although Australia never formally established a network of Indigenous boarding schools akin to those in the U.S. and Canada, the assimilationist mission was no less destructive. Despite making up only about 6% of Australia’s youth population, Indigenous children account for almost 50% of those in out-of-home care, which includes placement in foster care, group homes and with kinship carers. This gaping disparity emphasizes the lasting effects of these programs, leaving First Nations people to deal with dislocation, cultural loss and intergenerational trauma.

In recent years, the Australian government has taken steps to acknowledge and atone for these policies. A national apology was issued in 2008, followed by reparations exceeding $375 million for surviving members of the Stolen Generation. Additionally, individual states have contributed over $200 million in compensation funds for those affected. However, many argue that financial reparations, while important, cannot undo the profound harm caused by decades of systemic cultural erasure and displacement.

Australia’s history with its Indigenous populations is not unique. As the DOI report highlights, these tactics of domination and forced assimilation are not isolated but part of a broader colonial pattern seen across Canada, the United States and New Zealand. These initiatives, driven by the dual forces of governmental policies and religious institutions, sought to erase Indigenous culture in favor of Eurocentric ideals. From the earliest boarding schools in the United States and Canada to parallel programs in Australia and New Zealand, the common thread was the colonial power’s blatant disregard for the autonomy, culture and humanity of Indigenous communities, particularly through religious messaging and values. These institutions inflicted lasting harm, not only by physically removing children from their homes and subjecting them to abuse but also by obliterating the cultural traditions and languages that sustained Indigenous identities for generations. 

GET INVOLVED:

One of the primary organizations focused on bringing justice to the First Nations people of Australia is ANTAR, which offers several ways to get involved, raise awareness and contribute to justice for the Indigenous people of Australia. Locals can volunteer with the organizations, and citizens worldwide can contribute to fundraising efforts or participate in global education and awareness campaigns. Other organizations with similar missions include Pay the Rent, IWGIA and the Aboriginal Legal Service.

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Zoe Lodge

Zoe is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is studying English and Politics, Philosophy, & Law. She combines her passion for writing with her love for travel, interest in combatting climate change, and concern for social justice issues.