AMERICA FIRST LEADS TO CHINA NEXT
While there will be no immediate fallout by banning travel from these countries given their lack of geopolitical and geoeconomic standing, there will still be consequences.
Mr Trump’s broader immigration policies create anxiety about US travel, amid unhappiness about his sweeping tariffs. A head of global public affairs at an American multinational told me she can’t have her team meet in the US this summer because many of her international staff fear travelling there.
New York City, the top US destination for international travel, estimated 2.5 million (or 17 per cent) fewer foreign travellers in 2025. Travel from Canada, the US’ top source of visitors, is expected to go down more than 20 per cent. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects a US$12.5 billion loss in international visitor spending this year.
Nelson Cunningham, who served in the Biden administration as a Senior Advisor at the State Department, told me: “If we cut off contact with the best and brightest around the world, America First cannot help but become America Alone”.
“America First inevitably leads to China Next,” he concluded.
With the new travel ban, governments will continue to seek alternate markets and partners for trade and security. Businesses will see diminish their advantages with access to foreign government officials, customers and employees.
The erosion of Brand America continues.
Steven Okun serves as CEO of APAC Advisors, a geostrategic and responsible investment consultancy based in Singapore. He served as Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Transportation in the Administration of President Bill Clinton. APAC Advisors Associate Noemie Viterale contributed to the commentary.
