Xanadu, I have to agree with that, from what I see and hear as well. However, I think it's important to point out that it's not so much an anti Republican thing...which is what I think some Americans are mistaking it for. On the contrary, many Europeans liked and admired Nixon for his deft handling of foreign policy, and most got along well with Ronald Reagon. Nearly all liked Bush's father, witness his skill at building a strong coalition for Gulf War I.
I believe this is more of a personality thing, and a dislike for the way that this particular individual and the group of advisors surrounding him have chosen to interact with their foreign allies.
Its quite possible that a different person could have pursued the same course of action vis a vis the war on terror, even possibly a pre-emptive war in Iraq...but gone about it slightly differently, attempted to build consensus, or delivered the message in a more concilliatory and respectful tone. Especially for Asians and Europeans, respect, versus demands, is very important.
I have cousins who are stationed in Geneva, as well as working in the government in Brazil, and I know that to them, this particular president has the effect of nails on a blackboard. It's a near visceral dislike. I believe the boycott is directed against him personally, and the dollar is the only way they can take it out. Here in the United States we've had that reaction to foreign leaders. De Gaulle, for example, rubbed many Americans the wrong way, even though the French loved him.
But despite all the rhetoric and frustration we may read, I don't believe that people truly want to give up on the United States. On the contrary, I think they will try very hard to see something positive in the next president, no matter which party he or she belongs to.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed as well that the situation could improve. After all, it's at an all time low right now, I think it has no where to go but up...lol (at least I hope it can't get much worse)
I also agree that US businessmen and bankers were largely considered positively, but that the recent subprime fiasco has tarnished their reputation. You can read it in asian press and european articles - the sense that they've been 'had' by tricky bankers who knowingly foisted junk, carelessly mislabled as AAA.
That isn't helping us at all, of course. It's just adding to an already negative sentiment, and a perception that we don't play with an honest deck.
I wonder, however, if the subprime crisis - as costly and terrible as it's been, would have led to a boyctt of US assets if the other issue didn't exist. I suspect it wouldn't...provided that the US showed it was clearly taking steps to make sure something like that could never happen again, and the top individuals involved got the axe....
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