Trump's European policies spark travel anxiety debate
Donald Trump's policy toward Europe is causing a lot of controversy. Media around the world are wondering whether this will affect the decisions of American tourists, who, embarrassed by their president's behavior, might cancel their trips to Europe.
A hypothesis has been proposed in Danish media: "American tourists may avoid traveling to Europe due to President Donald Trump's policies." Experts are analyzing whether concerns related to how Americans are perceived abroad will influence their decisions to visit European countries.
Feelings of traveling Americans
CNN conducted an interview with travel blogger Sierra Malone, who admitted that during her trips, she feels "more nervous."
The New York Times termed this phenomenon a "new American travel anxiety." The newspaper quoted 65-year-old Frank Verhaeghe from California, who, when deciding to go to France, chose to communicate only in French with his group.
Danish tourism and Trump's policy
Despite the concerns, representatives of Danish tourism organizations, such as VisitDenmark and Wonderful Copenhagen, believe that the controversies surrounding Trump might, contrary to expectations, attract more tourists from the USA. Denmark is perceived as a liberal country open to other cultures. Rikke Holm Petersen from Wonderful Copenhagen emphasizes that safety and the strong brand of the country still play a key role in choosing a travel destination.
Lars Fuglsang from the University of Roskilde notes that American tourists visiting Denmark are generally wealthy individuals interested in culture and often not supportive of Trump. He predicts a likelihood that more Americans will escape from the USA.
Changing perception of the USA in Europe
YouGov research shows that Denmark experienced the most significant change in its perception of the United States among several surveyed European countries. In August 2024, 48% of Danes viewed the USA positively, but by February 2025, this percentage had dropped to 20%. Similar trends were observed in Sweden, Germany, and France.
The deterioration in Danish-American relations occurred after Trump began his second term. His proposals regarding the acquisition of Greenland triggered anti-American demonstrations in Copenhagen. In response, the Netto discount chain marked European products with a star, supporting a boycott of American goods.
