The citizens of the United States most likely would not win “most-loved people of the world” right now. Regardless of how you feel about President Trump’s policies, they have clearly had a negative impact on the perceptions abroad of both the United States and its citizens. During Trump’s first presidency, when someone abroad disagreed with his policies, I would often hear, “I don’t blame American citizens — I blame Trump.” This time feels different. This time, people from around the world seem more ready and willing to place blame on all U.S. citizens, not just our president.
This anger is manifesting itself here in Mexico in different places and in different ways. I have recently seen “Gringo Go Home” graffiti in multiple cities in Mexico. The recent anti-gentrification protest in Mexico City drew a lot of attention to the impact of Americans increasingly coming to the city to live or vacation. A recent poll by Pew Research shows that the percentage of Mexicans who view the U.S. negatively has skyrocketed from 31% to 69% in just the past few months. Even here at MND, a day hardly goes by without our team receiving a request to invoice in either Mexican pesos or Canadian dollars — people are so angry that they don’t even want to pay in USD!
When I talk to Mexicans about their thoughts on the United States and its citizens right now, they are often quick to share their feelings. Whether it be the topic of tariffs, deportations, taxes on remittances or the border wall, there is real sadness, disappointment, anger and even fear. Most Mexicans feel that they have been an important part of the U.S. — historically, economically and culturally — and right now they feel that their neighbor is letting them down (to put it mildly).
So what can us Americans do? Whether you’re living in Mexico, traveling to Mexico for work or vacation, or even staying in your home country, here are a few thoughts.
1. Be mindful of media and “expert” biases. I have seen multiple U.S. news reports attempting to compare the anti-gentrification protests in Mexico City to what ICE is doing in the United States with Mexicans. In other words, dramatically oversimplifying the issue and trying to create the false narrative that in both countries, they want foreigners out. That simply isn’t true in either country but it does, of course, lead to fear in the U.S. community that they might be unsafe in Mexico or the victims of violence against them. I have even heard “Mexico experts” (consultants based in CDMX and Washington, D.C.) mentioning a potential “black swan event” of violence in Mexico against Americans. We as consumers of information have to be more alert than ever that the motivations of these news organizations and consultants are different than ours. They are looking for more views, more clicks, or more consulting gigs. Genuinely informing or educating you is not their objective. In their minds, fear sells — and fear means more business for them.
2. Understand that you are an ambassador of your home country. The way you talk, the way you treat others, the way you listen, the amount you tip, the effort you make to speak a little Spanish or smile when asking if the other person speaks English — all are a reflection of not only you, but also your home country. Now more than ever it is important to be cognizant of this and aware of the weight and impact of your actions. This isn’t to say that you should change who you are or how you act, but it is to say that you would be foolish to not think that you are being observed and analyzed now more than ever. What do I mean by that? I think many Mexicans are genuinely hurt by what the U.S. is doing to them right now. As a result, through what in many cases are limited interactions with Americans, many Mexicans are trying to assess how much of that pain to credit to the U.S. government versus average U.S. citizens. Your actions will directly shape how that person makes that assessment.
3. Make an extra effort to make a positive impact on Mexico and its people, one interaction at a time. What does this mean? It can mean any of a million different things. If you don’t travel to Mexico, it might mean doing things like buying Mexican products in your local grocery store — like fruit, vegetables, beer or tequila. It might mean supporting local Mexican businesses in your community, knowing that a portion of your purchase is very likely being sent back to Mexico in the form of remittances to support family members. If you are a vacationer in Mexico, it might mean not cancelling your trip based on the fear mongering that you saw on the news. It might mean prioritizing Mexico for your next vacation. If you are a person that does business in Mexico, it might mean staying the course on your planned investments or new hire decisions despite the near constant economic noise being created.
In summary, it means being aware that your actions can either help counteract or help reinforce the perceptions Mexicans have of U.S. citizens. It’s more important now than ever to show Mexico, and the world, who we are as individual Americans.
For some people, that means making a real sacrifice and commitment of time, experience and money. Read my article next week as I profile a group of U.S.-based medical professionals doing incredible volunteer work in Mexico, one small child at a time. It is a story that is guaranteed to inspire you!
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
I agree that it’s important to present ourselves in a positive way in Mexico. We should be humble, patient, dependable, honest, etc. Basically the opposite of how the Trump Administration is presenting itself. However, I don’t think our own actions will change the perceptions of the US or of US Americans.
The recent craziness has caused the perceptions to change towards the negative, but only real change will improve those perceptions. Mainstream news and entertainment media have long been used to promote the idea that the US government is dedicated to promoting peace and democracy abroad. This is as logical as believing that domestically the US government is dedicated to promoting healthcare, education, public transportation, nutrition, secure healthy housing, and full employment with livable pay. (“Best I can do is a fading empire where the economy has been financialized and deindustrialized, and canabalized by govt contracts and privitization.”) As industries consolidate to monopolies and near monopolies and capture the oversight agencies; as these giant companies and the banks that partner with them gain more control over the economy, these issues will continue to get worse. Propaganda works, but only up to a point.
These anti-gentrification/anti-tourist/anti-gringo protests will probably lead to more cognizant visitors, retirees and remote workers, and that’s a good thing. The underlying problems will probably continue to worsen, at least until fundamental changes to the media infrastructure occur. The hurt feelings of the Mexicans could end up a good thing if there is more openness to an expansion of economic and commercial ties.
Great article. I also believe that as immigrants living in Mexico, it’s important for us to speak up when we witness inappropriate behavior from other foreigners. If we see someone being rude or disrespectful to locals, we’re often in the best position to address it and help set a better example.
I agree with you Gringa Chica
Thank you.
I agree with you. There isn’t a lot we can do to change this narrative but observing and monitoring the behavior of “ugly Americans “ we show the locals that not everyone feels like the disreful of a few.
Americans have been seen as disrespectful for as long as we have been traveling abroad and unfortunately they have gained that reputation. Deservetably. We have witnessed so many things that young drunken people have done in the country they are visiting. WTF I THINK THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE AWAY TO HOME SO NOONE CAN MONITOR THEIR BEHAVIOR. DISGUSTING WE GAINED THE title “ugly American “ in many parts of the world.
Good analysis but the fact is that too many American emigres and visitors have a colonial and superior attitude towards Mexicans. The use of USD in Mexico is insulting – change your money if use a Mexican ATM or your credit card!
And, by the way, we Canadians are way ahead of Mexico in our disdain for your President and his coterie. The damage he has done to bilateral and multilateral relationships, personal and business, will never be repaired.
Mike, San Carlos, Sonora
Mexicans better be careful what they wish for by saying Americans go home and other foreigners, because you do not want to make an enemy of the United States or its allies. After all, they could make Mexico and all Mexicans regret it.
Know your place in the world order.
and your place is in the US. Please stay there.
Or Russia
👍👍👍
The U.S. has allies? Who? El Salvador, Hungary, and Belarus?
Hungary????
Kenneth – of course Mexicans and the Mexican economy are extremely reliant on the U.S. I believe that in such asymmetrical relationships one should not need to make sure that the other party “knows their place”. (As you say). That’s exactly the kind of language that breeds contempt.
Kenneth : Look mom, I made a post. Lame.
You are an egomaniac.
Unnecessary rudeness
Kenneth, that is exactly the wrong attitude!
You are definitely promoting the image of the “ Ugly American.”
You took the words out of my (Cdn) mouth. As a teen I had an encounter with an “ugly American” that took me years of interacting with normal Americans to overcome.
My biggest lesson from this experience is to avoid stereotypical biases. All people are individuals and I hope the original poster takes the reaction to his post as a teaching experience.
BRICS is teaching the United States its place. Mexico is an up and coming country and has options. The United States is the opposite: an empire in decline and desperately clinging to the past.
Honestly, I have no words. You sound like the school yard bully who lost his lunch money on the way to school.
Thank you so much for the perspective. I will be visiting CDMX in two weeks -my 8th trip to the city since 2019 and my 11th trip to Mexico in general. In my travels, I have always been welcomed with open arms and graciousness. But the news of recent protests has left me a little nervous. And I cannot blame the citizens of Mexico for feeling disappointed and angry at the US right now. I’m disappointed by and and angry at my government as well -and more than a bit embarrassed.
Your column reminds me that on this coming trip I need to do as I always do: represent the best of my country. That means being gracious and humble, always attempting to speak as much Spanish as possible, and to always appreciate the incredible culture and beauty that Mexico has to offer. That’s the best I can do. If I stay home out of fear, then those who seek to perpetuate that fear have won.
Well said Tim. Very true!
Very good article and I agree with everything you have said. We can make a difference by being good ambassadors and speaking Spanish can go a long way. I always try to listen closely to what Mexicans from all walks of life have on their minds regarding the current US administration´s policies and one thing I am hearing from those who live in areas plagued by Cartel violence is that they welcome the US government´s stance on calling Cartel members terrorists and the pressure they are putting on the Mexican Government to address the Cartels. While most current US policy towards the rest of the world is having a negative impact in so many ways, this one policy, while imperfect in its implementaton, has many Mexicans who live in fear more hopeful.
I agree with you Tracy. I hear the same. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Tim, you speak for me too. I also apologize profusely to mexican people and officials.
I love Mexico as a matter of fact my Girlfriend was born and raised in Mexico, we are planning to move to Mexico.Nonetheless the problem with the USA at this moment is related to the lack of knowledge by both Americans and Foreigners of the chronic financial drain of the USA secondary to probably corrupt Americans actions. This is a now global source of anger eg. USA can’t sell cars in Europe because of fictitious barrier but they sell thousands in here without difficulty same Korea and Japan. Nowadays for an American to migrate to Mexico is very difficult the financial requirement are about 4500 $ a month but Mexicans want to just jump the border and many receive government subsidies . In USA the medications cost up to 4 or 5 times what they cost in other countries because we are paying for the research and development of the same meds from the same factories etc .It-will be a good idea for everyone to educate themselves about the reality of the recent actions by USA government before starting ” a war ” of words etc. I do support the anti gentrification movement secondary to greed by realtors ,speculators owners and developers. This issue is anti social,anti family and is destroying many societies all over the world . The gentrification expands to restaurants and other business too they cause inflation , homelessness and infringement in the civil rights
The USA is very capable of correcting trade imbalances without resorting to chainsaws, massive lies and threats, and demonizing indigenous Americans.
20% of the world economy cannot dictate to 80% of the world economy. Look to the rising global south and their allies. Look to BRICS.
?? WHat about not separating yourself from others: Mexican… i am AMERICAN… you are a HUMAN… just BE.. normal… polite… humble… kind…. – normal…?
I was just awarded my Mexican citizenship. My Mother was born there and my wife was born in Mexico. We have children and grand children in both. My wife is a working on her US residency. I live almost completely devoid of interactions with any Americans when we are in Monterrey. We also spend time south of Playa del Carmen in a mostly foreign community with many Americans and Canadians. The main difference between Mexicans and most others is psychological. I have never, ever in 8 years living between Mexico and the USA heard a negative word from a Mexican about anything. Never rude, never purposely impolite or threatening. However, what is considered normal in the USA is often considered disruptive in Mexico. The same can be said about what Mexicans consider normal behavior. A great analogy is that position is everything. When a little old lady gets ahead of you from the back of the airplane nobody cares in Mexico. Most Americans would probably internalize that behavior and get upset. Tranquillo! Overly loud behavior in a restaurant is bad in Mexico. Not so much (depending) in The USA. Loud music all night in the neighborhoods in Mexico it’s hardly noticed, in the USA definitely. Shouting at someone in traffic? In NY or other places not a big deal. In Mexico it could be a very big deal. There were commercials on TV about the risk of lethal interactions because of it. 99% of the time a smile is met with a smile, in both places. Here is the rub and the reason America is getting a bad rap in Mexico. The media is constantly pounding negativity about our government and president. Even so much that it doesn’t matter who you voted for, according to the media CNN et al. America and Americans are officially racist, bad people. The gentrification is what we would call inflation. Funny how that rhymes. Home prices do not inflate normally because you can’t get financing for less than 10% interest. So rising prices on homes with cash, or higher rents feels like an invasion. As far as Mexico needing the USA? That is mostly true. But, it doesn’t stop China from replacing much of that influence. The mainstream are being told it’s an alternative. My advice? Go to Mexico often. Enjoy the vacation spots. Don’t internalize and be polite. Oh.. and don’t obviously stare at women. It’s their right to show put our job not to stare. 😉 I love Mexico and I love the USA. I wish everyone could see it that way. But, the media gets ratings from presenting drama and way to political Just have fun and be respectful and careful. Travis is 100% correct. We are all ambassadors you can set the tone.
Mexicans should hold Americans accountable for Trump. The first time people thought he became president by accident or cheating. This time a majority of the electoral college states voted for him. All of us Americans are now responsible for this president. He didn’t tell everyone how cruel he would be or how he’d punish individual countries the way he has, but make no mistake he told us about his project 2025, denied it and now implements it. He can’t be trusted. The biggest hope I see here is the Mexican President. She’s strong, protective, proactive and seems to be able to keep Trump within the guardrails of past treaty. I’m a small business owner in the states, and I hope to maybe retire to Puerto Vallarta if I can. I don’t need a fancy condo that looks like Florida, l would love to have an authentic old Mexican building to live in and experience the country. The only thing I can say to Mexicans about America right now is many of us are horrified at the deportations, the Alligator Alcatraz and the republicans in congress being lapdogs to him. It will probably get worse before it gets better. But know Americans are noticing and beginning to suffer under this regime. Who would ever think Canada would dislike us? We chose this and now we reap what we sow. I will be in PV in October and I can’t wait to get out of this country and relax. Please keep welcoming us. It’s like a hug that is badly needed.
Mexico has a bright future and the US doesn’t. It’s time for a divorce. If you’re Illegal in the US, your days are numbered.
There have been, and will continue to be, demonstrations in Mexican cities (Oaxaca, Xalapa, Guadalajara, CDMX) by US citizens and others to protest the Trump administration’s policies. These events help communicate to the Mexican people that many of us are opposed to the deportations, the tariff chaos, and the disrespect shown to allies, neighbors, and friends. I encourage everyone who feels this way to join in the demonstrations.
Be careful. US citizens can be thrown out of Mexico for protesting.
Anti-Trump protests have already taken place–with the permission of local authorities in several cities. Let’s get it straight: The Mexican Constitution states that foreigners are prohibited from any involvement in MEXICAN politics, but we can exercfise our freedom of speech to peacefully protest our own governments’ policies and actions.
I was in Mexico In January and April – I was treated extremely well just as I have been for the previous 35 years of travel to PVR. Great service, hospitality, meals, all delivered with friendly sincerity. My compliments to Los Tules resort!!
I certainly understand the local perceptions about the United States and the Trump administration.
Trump is a well-known corrupt commodity from his first term and many decades before.
And he was re-elected ANYWAY with convicted federal offenses and a mega loss of long-standing credibility.
This is what the majority of voters want, including the Proud Boys, neoNazies, Oath Keepers, KKK et. al
But please keep in mind that U.S. expats and visitors here might just have another point of view.
Re your article title. You usually assume that all of your readership is American. Of course, many of us are not.
Keith – thanks for pointing that out. Nothing negative intended towards Canadians or others by not mentioning them. The point of this particular article was the U.S. – Mexico relationship. You are correct in that we have many readers who are not American. We are very proud of that and do try to make sure we cover things in Mexico not just from an “American” perspective. Thanks again.
Have you done any research into how many Mexicans are also Americans?
I feel that the US, Mexico and Canada are a family that will not break apart over a few squabbles. We are much stronger than that. Watch.
I did not vote in the last U.S. election because the choice was so bad. I like Mexico. It reminds me of my Italian heritage and how things were when I was young, especially the love of family. Mexico does not have a single military base on foreign soil. It does not want to bully people or to cause wars. I believe, if you are kind and generous with people, they will treat you the same way. Trump, or any president, cannot change the golden rule: ’Treat others the way you would like to treated“.
Thanks Travis! Look at the conversation you started. Keep doing what you’re doing.
We moved to Mexico when trump became president the first time. He is everything we despise. My husband is of Mexican heritage. We have both been coming to Mexico since we were children. Mexico feels like home. We’re both from los Angeles and in LA, we fight against racism and bigotry. So moving to Mexico is our dream come true. We have great friends and are treated like family by our Mexican friends. I’m grateful to respect and admire Presidenta Sheinbaum. We’re happy here and have been treated wonderfully. Thank you Mexico!
It’s very sad for everyone, everyone in the world how one man, one party can control our lives with tariffs, lies and bullying. Sheinbaum is my hero for standing up in a decent, diplomatic way without kneeling to Trumps standards.
I have lived in Mexico 8 years, love the country and the people. . I feel like I need to wear a shirt everyday when I walk the streets that apologizes for Trumps behavior and all they are going through.
I was surprised to read Canada dislikes Trump. Every Canadian in our complex wishes he was their President and is adamant that as Americans we are not getting the true story. It’s crazy and shocking. I also have US friends in Mexico that believe he is going to save the world from all the bad immigrants that have been let into our country. It seems everywhere I turn there is a Trumpster around every corner ready to leap and let you know what a blessing he is. It’s all scary.