Is anti-Americanism on the rise in Germany?

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Last year the election of Donald Trump as the new US president could help mitigate anti-American views across Europe, the Treasurer of the populist right-wing anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party told CNBC in November 2016. As an American expat who has lived and worked in Germany (and who pays taxes but cannot vote here) for 18 years, I’ve dealt with anti-Americanism from many Germans on almost a daily basis. And a lot of anti-foreigner sentiment, too, although Germans very condescendingly like to reassure me that as an American, I’m an “

An American expat who has lived and worked in Germany (and who pays taxes but cannot vote here) for 18 years posted on her Facebook: I’ve dealt with anti-Americanism from many Germans on almost a daily basis. And a lot of anti-foreigner sentiment, too, although Germans very condescendingly like to reassure me that as an American, I’m an “edel Ausländer“, e.g., a “fancy foreigner,” not like “those Turks, Eastern Europeans, and Africans” (yes, I’ve heard this many times from supposedly educated and politically moderate Germans).

The almost-daily encounters with German anti-Americanism and anti-foreigner sentiment have persisted through Clinton, George W and even Obama. It’s oftentimes subtle (the most dangerous kind), oftentimes vociferous. When we Americans put Trump into the White House, the smug, condescending, self-righteous anti-Americanism reached a “schadenfreudige” crescendo. Well…..how now, brown cow and pot-calling-the-kettle-black???? The day after Germans went to the polls and gave a far-right party the third highest number of votes and a 13% toehold in the federal government, I’m wondering if these “people living in glass houses and throwing stones” may or may not reflect on what’s happened and perhaps be a bit less self-righteous and quick to point fingers. Perhaps these election results will finally force Germans to take a long — and long-overdue — and honest look in the mirror and confront their own demons. Cause they’ve been there all along — and not totally dormant or living on the fringe, either.

Well…..how now, brown cow and pot-calling-the-kettle-black???? The day after Germans went to the polls and gave a far-right party the third highest number of votes and a 13% toehold in the federal government, I’m wondering if these “people living in glass houses and throwing stones” may or may not reflect on what’s happened and perhaps be a bit less self-righteous and quick to point fingers. Perhaps these election results will finally force Germans to take a long — and long-overdue — and honest look in the mirror and confront their own demons. Cause they’ve been there all along — and not totally dormant or living on the fringe, either.

eTN asked: Explain anti Americanism: Is it the same as anti-Trump , or simply you say Germans don’t like you because you’re American?

The anti-Americanism preceded Trump’s presidency — so yes, what I’m saying is that there are strong anti-American attitudes among Germans.

OPINION:
This posting  is surprising. As a German American who travels to Germany 3-4 times a year, left for the US in 1984, but for many of my German friends never really left, I cannot completely echo Erica’s sentiment. German’s are more politically outspoken, and there has been plenty of criticism about American behavior and politics. I never thought or felt this was personal. Educated Germans very much understand the difference between voicing opposition, and I had many sometimes heated discussions about various issues over the years in regards to American issues. None of this was ever meant to be an attack on me, and Germans are the most loyal people and friends.

I may give it a second thought understanding this may only apply to 87% of Germans since 13% voted for a right-wing political party – this is alarming, and protests and awareness are in order.

Luckily the right-wing AfD already seems to be split up between a moderate section and an ultra right section. The moderate chairwomen today said: “Today we must be open that there is internal dissent within the AfD,” Petry said at the press conference. “We must not be silent about this. The community needs to know that we have controversial debates.” She told reporters later that she would sit in the Bundestag as an independent.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

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