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For First Time, Majority of Mexicans Hold Unfavorable View of United States

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura , Dina Smeltz , Duncan Wood , Esteban Guzmán Saucedo , and Rene Bautista
Flag of Mexico.
Christian Frausto Bernal

Mexican public opinion of the US is at a record low, while American views of Mexico remain positive. However, both publics believe that NAFTA has been good for their respective economies.

Key Findings

  • Two in Three Mexicans Have Unfavorable View of United States
  • American Views of Mexico Remain Slightly Warm
  • One issue that majorities on both sides of the border seem to agree is on the benefits of international trade.
  • Both publics also tend to view international trade as mutually beneficial to all countries involved in trade agreements.
  • Majorities Positive Toward NAFTA Though Suspicious of Trade Tactics
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Crown Center Content This content is produced by the Lester Crown Center, which aims to shape debates and inform decisions on important US foreign policy and national security issues.
About the Authors
Assistant Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Craig Kafura is the assistant director for public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and a Pacific Forum Young Leader. At the Council, he coordinates work on public opinion and foreign policy and is a regular contributor to the public opinion and foreign policy blog Running Numbers.
Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years of experience designing and fielding international social and political surveys. Prior to joining the Council to lead its annual survey of American attitudes on US foreign policy, she served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department's Office of Research from 1992 to 2008.
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Duncan Wood
Director, Mexico Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Esteban Guzmán Saucedo
Survey Research Director, Buendía & Laredo
Survey Research Director, Buendía & Laredo
Rene Bautista
Senior Research Scientist, NORC
Senior Research Scientist, NORC