Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a recent Pew Research Center survey, the complexities of U.S.-Mexico relations are brought into stark relief, revealing a significant shift in American public opinion towards their southern neighbor. The survey shows that 60% of Americans now hold a negative view of Mexico, compared to only 37% who express a positive perception. This marks a substantial change from previous years, reflecting the influence of political rhetoric and evolving attitudes in the United States.
Deterioration of U.S. Perception of Mexico
The survey’s findings highlight a notable deterioration in the American perception of Mexico. This decline appears to be influenced heavily by the anti-Mexico rhetoric that characterized the administration of former President Donald Trump. During Trump’s first year in office in 2017, 65% of Americans viewed Mexico positively, with only 29% holding a negative opinion. The sharp decline in positive sentiment, now at 37%, suggests a lingering impact of the political discourse that framed Mexico as a problematic neighbor.
In contrast, Mexican views of the United States have remained relatively stable, if not slightly more favorable. The survey indicates that 61% of Mexicans hold a positive view of the United States, while 33% do not. These numbers reflect a resilience in Mexican public opinion, even amidst the turbulent political dynamics of recent years.
Generational and Political Divides in Opinion
The Pew Research Center’s survey also uncovers significant differences in opinion across age groups and political affiliations in the United States. Younger Americans, particularly those under 30, tend to have a more favorable view of Mexico, with 48% expressing positive sentiments. However, this number drops dramatically to 25% among Americans over 65, signaling a generational divide in attitudes toward the neighboring country.
Political affiliation also plays a crucial role in shaping opinions of Mexico. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 52% view Mexico favorably, compared to just 22% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The data indicates that the polarization of American politics extends into international perceptions, with Mexico becoming a focal point of divergent views.
Interestingly, the survey also notes that Latinos born in the United States have a more favorable opinion of Mexico, with 53% expressing positive sentiments, compared to only 30% of non-Hispanic white Americans. This highlights the cultural and familial ties that continue to influence opinions within the Latino community.
Criticism of Border Control and Immigration Policy
As expected, the survey reveals strong criticism of the U.S. government’s handling of border control and immigration, an issue that has been at the forefront of U.S.-Mexico relations in recent years. A striking 83% of Americans believe that the White House is doing a poor job managing the influx of migrants at the southern border, with many viewing the situation as deteriorating. In Mexico, 52% of respondents share this sentiment, indicating a shared concern across both nations about the effectiveness of the Biden administration’s policies.
The survey also finds that individuals with higher education and income levels in both countries are particularly critical of U.S. border policy. However, the intensity of criticism varies by political affiliation, with 92% of Republicans expressing dissatisfaction compared to 76% of Democrats.
In Mexico, political divisions mirror those in the U.S., with supporters of the ruling party Morena and the opposition expressing similar disapproval of U.S. border policy. However, when it comes to evaluating Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s handling of border issues, two-thirds of American adults believe the Mexican government is performing poorly, and 48% consider the situation to be very bad. In Mexico, 38% of respondents disapprove of their government’s border policies, with only 9% rating the results as very poor.
Perceptions of U.S. Leadership: Biden vs. Trump
The survey also sheds light on Mexican perceptions of U.S. leadership, revealing a complex relationship between the two countries’ views of each other’s presidents. During the Trump administration, an overwhelming majority of Mexicans—93%—distrusted Trump’s policies, with nine out of ten opposing the construction of the border wall. Despite the change in leadership, current U.S. President Joe Biden has not entirely won over Mexican public opinion. The survey indicates that six out of ten Mexicans have little or no confidence in Biden, though the majority still reject Trump, with 86% expressing disapproval of the former president.
It is worth noting that this survey was conducted before Biden’s decision to forgo reelection, a move that may further influence public opinion in Mexico and the United States as the political landscape continues to evolve.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a recent Pew Research Center survey, the complexities of U.S.-Mexico relations are brought into stark relief, revealing a significant shift in American public opinion towards their southern neighbor. The survey shows that 60% of Americans now hold a negative view of Mexico, compared to only 37% who express a positive perception. This marks a substantial change from previous years, reflecting the influence of political rhetoric and evolving attitudes in the United States.
