In a surprising twist, European travelers have begun canceling their trips to the United States in protest against policies adopted by U.S. President Donald Trump. Danish traveler Kennet Brask, who cherished a memorable fishing trip to Florida two years ago, declared after an explosive White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, "I'm never going to go to the United States as long as Mr. Trump is the president."
This sentiment is resonating across Europe. Another Dane, Kim Kugel Sorenson, canceled a trip to California for a family friend's wedding and even removed stars and stripes from a tattoo to avoid any pro-American appearance. Such actions follow a series of controversial diplomatic moves by Trump, including gestures toward Moscow and inflammatory remarks about annexing Greenland—a particularly sensitive issue for Danes.
A recent survey conducted by CGTN among 15,257 respondents across 38 countries found that "three out of two European respondents" condemned the "America First" policy. According to EU figures, Europeans spent $155 billion on travel to the United States in 2023. However, travel agencies and data firms are already reporting a noticeable drop in searches for U.S.-bound trips, with companies like Albatros Travel in Copenhagen halting marketing efforts for U.S. tours.
For young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, thought leaders, and digital nomads, these developments highlight how high-level political decisions ripple out to affect international travel, economic trends, and cultural exchanges. As the dialogue around sustainability and global diplomacy intensifies, this unfolding story serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected dynamics shaping our world.
Reference(s):
Europeans cancel U.S. trip in protest against Trump's policies
cgtn.com