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ANALYSIS: When America Shoots Itself in the Economic Foot

Jacques Pj Provost

2026-06-20 16:23:47

The Visa Weapon: A De Facto Suspension of International Tourism

Since 2025, the U.S. State Department has indefinitely suspended tourist visas for nationals of 39 countries, including four that qualified for the World Cup (Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Senegal). This measure, officially justified on “security grounds,” is in reality intended to massively deter potential visitors. Visa applicants must now undergo in-person interviews and a thorough review of their social media accounts, leading to endless lines and arbitrary denials.

The consequences are immediate: hotel bookings are down 20% in major cities like New York and Los Angeles, and airlines are cutting back on international flights. European tourists, once loyal, are now shunning America. The number of Germans visiting the United States in 2025 is down 13%, and the number of French visitors is down 8%.

The Border: A New Ideological Battleground

Border controls have become a Kafkaesque experience. European tourists are being denied entry after hours of questioning, simply because an algorithm detected an “ambiguity” in their Facebook posts. U.S. customs officials now search phones and online accounts, turning a simple tourist visit into an administrative survival ordeal.

This policy has an immediate deterrent effect: stories of humiliated travelers are spreading on social media, discouraging their loved ones from attempting the American adventure. As a result, destinations like Mexico, Canada, and Southern Europe are seeing record numbers of visitors, while the United States is becoming the least attractive destination in the developed world.

Trump has always despised the “global elites”—those travelers who embody openness to the world. By targeting tourists, he is not merely punishing an industry; he is declaring war on the very idea of globalization. America is closing itself off like an oyster, and the world is moving on.

Section 3: The Economic Consequences of a Self-Destructive Policy

Las Vegas, a Symbol of a Tourism Industry in Shambles

The city of gambling and entertainment, which relies on international tourism for 30% of its revenue, is bearing the brunt of the drop in Canadian visitors. Canadians, once the city’s top customers, have cut their stays by 22% in 2025, triggering an unprecedented crisis. Casinos are posting record losses, and some employees have been furloughed. The “Trump slump,” as locals call it, has become the new buzzword among economists.

The ripple effects are being felt far beyond the casinos: hotels, restaurants, and small businesses all depend on tourism. In Las Vegas, 7,500 jobs were cut in a single year. Nationwide, more than 150,000 jobs have been lost in the tourism sector, according to the U.S. Congress.

The 2026 World Cup: A Disaster in the Making

The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was supposed to be a major boost for U.S. tourism. However, hotel room bookings are below 50% of projections. Foreign soccer federations are hesitant to send their fans, fearing border controls and visa delays. Ticket sales are sluggish, and host cities like Los Angeles and Dallas fear an economic fiasco.

Mexican and Canadian organizers, on the other hand, are reporting full capacity. Mexico has already seen a 15% increase in tourist bookings for 2026, while Canada is expecting record attendance. The United States, meanwhile, is missing the boat.

A Worsening Trade Deficit

Tourism is a key sector in the U.S. balance of payments. In 2025, Americans spent $180 billion abroad, while foreign visitors injected only $171 billion into the United States. This $9 billion deficit is a wake-up call: America is losing its appeal at the very moment that China and Europe are strengthening their soft power in tourism.

States that depend on tourism, such as Florida, California, and Hawaii, are in crisis. Tax revenues are falling, infrastructure is deteriorating, and foreign investment is drying up. An economy that shuts its doors to visitors is an economy doomed to stagnation.

Trump likes to repeat that “America First” means protecting its borders. But when this obsession turns into economic suicide, one wonders whether the U.S. president truly understands what is at stake. A country that turns its back on the world cannot remain a superpower.

Section 4: American Soft Power, a Collateral Victim

The United States’ Image in Free Fall

According to a Reuters poll conducted in May 2026, the United States’ international popularity has fallen below that of Russia. Trump’s policies, perceived as arrogant and isolationist, have turned America into a diplomatic pariah. Traditional allies, such as Germany and Japan, are scaling back their cultural and economic exchanges. The “American Dream” is now nothing more than a distant memory.

This loss of influence is also evident in cultural terms: American films, once ubiquitous, are seeing their overseas box office receipts stagnate. Netflix series and local music are replacing Hollywood productions. America is no longer a role model, but a cautionary tale.

Allies Are Turning Away

Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner, saw its tourist numbers drop by 22% in 2025. Mexicans, for their part, are boycotting American beach resorts following Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric. In Europe, governments are denouncing the “methods worthy of an authoritarian regime” applied to visitors. Even friendly nations are closing their doors to America.

This widespread hostility comes at a cost: foreign investment is flowing to other destinations. Tech companies and startups prefer to set up shop in Toronto, Berlin, or Singapore rather than in San Francisco or Austin. America is losing its appeal.

The Case of Europe

European tourists, once loyal, are now shunning America. The reasons? Threats against Greenland, repeated insults directed at European leaders, and overt support for Putin. In 2025, 13% fewer Germans and 8% fewer French people visited the United States. European travel agencies are now advising their clients against traveling to America.

Meanwhile, Europe is becoming more attractive: thanks to streamlined entry policies and an image of stability, it is drawing more tourists than ever before. America, on the other hand, is becoming a destination to avoid.

Trump has always despised “globalists.” Yet it is by isolating itself that America is truly becoming “globally weak.” A country that no longer appeals to the world is no longer a power, but a museum.

Conclusion: Can America Still Redeem Itself?

A Late but Necessary Wake-Up Call

Faced with the collapse of tourism, some U.S. officials are beginning to grow concerned. Democratic senators, as well as moderate Republicans, are calling for more flexible visa rules and a review of border controls. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a campaign called “America is Open for Business,” but the damage is done: America’s image has been permanently tarnished.

Could the United States bounce back? Yes, but only if it radically changes course. It would need to lift visa suspensions, simplify procedures, and return to a respectful approach to diplomacy. However, with Trump still in power in 2026, this scenario is nothing short of a pipe dream.

Emerging Alternatives

While America is turning inward, other destinations are capitalizing on its decline. Mexico, Canada, Southern Europe, and even China are now attracting tourists fleeing the United States. Bookings for 2027 are already up 12% in Mexico and 8% in Spain. America is missing the boat on global tourism.

U.S. companies in the sector, such as Airbnb and Marriott, are seeing their stock prices plummet. Investors are turning to more stable markets. The decline in U.S. tourism is a symptom of a broader problem: America is losing its place in the world.

Trump’s America has become a cursed destination. Between suspended visas, humiliating screenings, and toxic diplomatic rhetoric, Washington has turned tourism into an ideological battleground. The result? An economy in crisis, lost jobs, and global influence in ruins. America is shooting itself in the foot, and the world is cheering.

By Jacques Pj Provost, columnist