In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, the complex relationship between the United States and Mexico has been further elucidated, revealing a marked shift in the perception of Americans toward their southern neighbor. According to the survey, 60% of Americans currently hold a negative view of Mexico, while only 37% maintain a positive perception. Conversely, Mexicans continue to view the United States more favorably, with 61% expressing a positive outlook compared to 33% who hold a negative view.
A Shift in American Perception
The findings highlight a significant shift in American attitudes since 2017, when former President Donald Trump had just completed his first year in office. At that time, 65% of Americans reported a favorable opinion of Mexico, while 29% expressed a negative view. The drastic change in sentiment is largely attributed to the persistent anti-Mexico rhetoric that characterized much of Trump’s administration, suggesting a lasting impact on public opinion.
Interestingly, the 2017 survey showed that only 29% of Mexicans had a favorable opinion of the United States, a stark contrast to the 61% reported in the latest survey. The Pew Research Center has noted that changes in survey methodology—shifting from telephone to online data collection—mean the results from 2017 and 2024 are not directly comparable. However, the trend indicates a growing disconnect in how the two nations perceive each other.
Demographic and Political Divides
The survey also sheds light on the differing perceptions of Mexico among various demographics in the United States. Younger Americans tend to have a more favorable view of Mexico, with 48% of those under 30 expressing a positive opinion. In contrast, only 25% of Americans aged 65 and older share this sentiment.
Among U.S.-born Latinos, 53% view Mexico positively, while this number drops to 30% among non-Hispanic white Americans. The divide is also evident along political lines: 52% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents view Mexico favorably, compared to just 22% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The survey indicates that negative views of Mexico have increased among Americans across both major political parties since 2017.
Border Control and Immigration Concerns
As anticipated, the survey reveals that Americans are more critical of their government’s handling of border control and immigration issues compared to their Mexican counterparts. A striking 83% of Americans believe the White House is performing poorly in managing the recent surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Of these, half consider the situation to be particularly dire. In Mexico, 52% of respondents similarly feel that the Biden administration is not addressing the issue adequately.
The highest educational and income strata in both countries are particularly critical of the U.S. government’s border policies. However, Republicans are significantly more severe in their judgment than Democrats, with 92% of Republicans expressing dissatisfaction compared to 76% of Democrats. In Mexico, supporters of the ruling party Morena and the opposition share similar views to their northern neighbors regarding U.S. border policies.
When it comes to evaluating Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s handling of the border, two-thirds of American adults believe that the Mexican government is performing poorly, with 48% rating the situation as very bad. Among Mexicans, 38% disapprove of their government’s border management over the past six years, with only 9% rating it as very poor.
Perspectives on U.S. Leadership: Biden vs. Trump
The survey also touches on the evolving views of Mexicans toward U.S. leadership. During the Trump administration, a vast majority of Mexicans opposed the construction of the border wall, with 93% expressing distrust in Trump’s policies. Although perceptions of President Joe Biden are more favorable, they are not without criticism. Six out of ten Mexicans now express little or no confidence in Biden, although 86% continue to reject Trump.
It is important to note that the survey was conducted before Biden announced he would not seek re-election, a decision that could further influence Mexican perceptions of U.S. leadership in the future.
