UNDER TRUMP, U.S. PASSPORT VALUE FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL IS PLUMMETING

[iscooterliberally]

Source: Newsweek

The power of a U.S. passport has plummeted under President Donald Trump.

American passports have now fallen behind those of 18 countries in terms of global mobility—a staggering collapse from only two years ago, according to a survey released Wednesday.

The rankings from the international finance firm Arton Capital had U.S. passports tied for sixth place—along with Ireland, Canada and Malaysia—for global mobility. The firm judged the passports by how many countries they allow holders to visit without applying for a visa.

The U.S. travel troubles have taken off since Trump assumed office, as several countries have revoked visa-free access for American passport holders. Turkey and the Central African Republic revoked the easy travel, and the European Union in March voted to end visa-free travel for Americans in a nonbinding resolution. The EU, though, ultimately opted not to go through with the motion.



Read more: http://www.newsweek.com/under-trump-us-passport-falls-sixth-place-global-ranking-692594

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I used to travel quite a bit back in the 80s and 90s. I remember being waved right in whenever I went as a tourist. Several countries did require visas back then for when I was working. I don't travel much anymore and my passport expired about 14 years ago. This is really sad news. So much for making America great again.

[dalton99a]

1. Kick

[Girard442]

2. Can't imagine the Deplorables travel abroad much.

Who'd want to travel to the Hellholes Fox News tells them that all other countries are? They might endanger their precious world view.

[iscooterliberally]

6. I wonder if many of them would even understand the headline.

If you've never had a passport or been out of the country it's probably a meaningless statement. I once went to Germany with a band that I was playing in. One of our members had been a refugee from one of the eastern block former Soviet countries. None of us realized that he didn't get permission to travel. It was the early 90s and he had an old USSR passport. It took our tour manager about 12 hours to get the Germans to let him into the country. He had to get the US Embassy to call them and let them know that he would be admitted back into the USA at the end of our tour. The rest of us just strolled right through customs.

[Adrahil]

12. My in-laws used to travel in Europe all the time...

Now they say they are afraid to.

They tried to talk us out of allowing our daughter to tour with a band doing goodwill concerts next summer. We're going along too.

[SergeStorms]

20. Best of luck to you.

It's a shame that your daughter's tour went from something that should have been both memorable and enjoyable, to something where you're in fear for your life. Welcome to Trump-World.

The best advice I can give is to always be aware of your surroundings. That includes both the people and places you'll visit. Never find yourself in a place you can't easily get out of. Don't act like a goofy tourist, and if anyone asks, you're Canadian. It's sad when you have to deny your own country, but you're all better off safe than sorry.

Have a splendid trip.

[Adrahil]

23. Thanks, but I'm not actually afraid....

There is always risk in life, and I accept that, but I think the hysteria over terrorism can make it seem a lot more personally dangerous than it is.

[bronxiteforever]

3. Kick

[Dotarded]

4. Dont get it

In back to back paragraphs we have this information. Im not saying it makes no sense but it makes no sense.

American passports have now fallen behind those of 18 countries in terms of global mobility

The rankings from the international finance firm Arton Capital had U.S. passports tied for sixth place

Also what does this have to do with Dotard or anything else? It even says countries started denying us in 2015. I don't like sensationalist headlines with crap journalism.

[Hekate]

7. In simple terms: the US is tied for 6th place along with a handful of others ALSO in 6th place....

That's what "tied with" means. Presumably 18 countries are above us in ranking, some of them tied with each other for, say, second place.

I hope that explains just how Great the MAGA-in-Chief has made America again, Dotarded. Our passport is no longer as respected as we always assumed it would be, and we are losing international friends. As Nancy Pelosi once said: Elections have consequwnces.

[iscooterliberally]

8. I only see one reference to the year 2015 in this article.

In 2015, the United States tied for first place with the United Kingdom on the list; last year, it slipped to fourth place.

As for your question about what this had to do with "Dotard" well there are all the travel restrictions he's been throwing around. There are the horrible phone calls he has been making with other countries' leaders. There are the treaties that he has been pulling out of. He's a weak and inept leader. He is someone who should never have been let near this job. I long for the days when I didn't know much about him and he simply didn't appeal to me. All I had to do was not watch The Apprentice and he was out of sight and out of mind.

[EL34x4]

18. We no longer enjoy visa-free travel to Turkey.

I don't know if this can be blamed on Trump or not.

In addition, it appears that visa-free travel has been cut off to Central African Republic, but this applies to everyone, not just the United States.

Singapore is the least restrictive. Unlike us, holders of a Singapore passport can travel visa-free to China, Vietnam, Brazil, Cuba, and Myanmar (in addition to Turkey). These countries have required visas for sometime for U.S. travelers, long before Trump.

Yes, crap journalism, which seems to be par for the course at the once stalwart Newsweek these days.

[Doreen]

5. The passport I am getting is taking me out of this country permanently.

Possible I may visit but I am not sure. Who knows, they might not let me back in...no loss for me. I have a feeling I am not the only one getting a one way trip to another country. I do not know why anyone would want to come here anymore. I feel bad for the tourist businesses who I am sure are losing money.

[BigmanPigman]

11. My sister just came back from France and my mom and I

both said independently, "She will wish she stayed there". My mom wanted her to stay and get a place with a "granny flat" for her to live there too.

Where are you going and staying? I am jealous. If my family would live together somewhere else I would happily go too. My parents are 83 and I am very ill and don't have much longer either so I want to spend the remaining time with them.

[Doreen]

13. Frankfurt Germany, January 19th.

I can actually say I am going back to Germany as I lived there for two years in Berlin when I was 8-10. Germany was my happiest years.

[iscooterliberally]

14. oh man, I loved being in Germany.

I actually got to go to a small town in East Germany, just south of Berlin a few years after the wall came down. It was like going way back in time. I mostly spent time near Frankfurt, but I've been to Munich too. I have an ex-girlfriend who moved over there about 10 years ago and married a German man. She loves it there too. Congratulations and I hope things go well for you there.

[Doreen]

15. I got to go through Check Point Charlie as it would be years before the wall came down.

I got to visit Berchtesgarden and see the salt mines. The town was a picturesque little German town. I went to a School called JFK where diplomats children went and met kids from just about every country. I could not handle German schools and my father was not military so they would not accept me even though I was American. I love Germany.

[a la izquierda]

21. I'm on my way back to Germany or the British Isles.

I'm done in this country.
I just need to find a job or apply to law school.

Sad that I am quitting a career that I worked so hard for (I am a professor of history). But I am no longer comfortable in the academy because of the subject I teach and the lunacy that Trump and Republicans have unleashed.

Auf Wiedersehen, USA.

[Doreen]

25. I am glad you are being able to go but the reason sucks.

It is kinda of like being forced out but on the other hand not. I hope you find what you need where you are going. It is sad to leave a career you love in order to feel safe.

[Aristus]

9. It actually seems to go the other way with my and my passport.

I just took a short trip to Calgary last week. When presenting my passport to the Canadian officials, they were pleasant and friendly, and did their jobs very professionally.

On the trip back, I showed my passport to the US Border Official, and he looked at it like I'd presented him with a $3 bill. His interpersonal skills were slightly above those of Trump himself. We've become such a cesspool of a country...

[iscooterliberally]

10. Agreed. It was always harder coming back in for me too.

I only had trouble once getting into Canada. Actually I didn't have the trouble until someone in my travel party screwed up and told them we were working in Canada. I said 'tourist' and cruised right through, but they found me in baggage claim and made me come back. We were actually doing a charity benefit and although the crew was being paid, we were being paid in the US by a US company and not taking any money out of Canada. Once I explained that that was the reason we didn't have work visas, they let us through. I guess now you'll have more balance in your travels. Thanks to Trump, you'll have problems entering other countries, not just the US.

[They_Live]

16. I went to England, France, and Germany this summer

London (in time for the high-rise fire), Paris (in time for attempted terror attack at Champ Elysees), and Munich. No real issues, save for being embarrassed of our "leadership" situation. All of these countries were so reasonable in attitude compared to the US. There was high security in some places (train stations) with soldiers with automatic weapons and so on, but it didn't make me uncomfortable, and I didn't see any people randomly harassed. We just missed some very large protests in London after the apartment fire, etc. The people were all very friendly and the populations were all ethnically diverse (slightly less so perhaps, in Munich). I kind of wish that I could stay. maybe in Scotland, which I am very fond of...

[Tatiana]

17. I noticed this over the summer.

Our standing around the glob is really taking a hit.

I was asked many different questions by immigration screeners -- this had never happened to me in the past. They said it was random, but I wondered... the family from Britain didn't seem to encounter any issues and did not have their luggage searched at all.

[Initech]

19. Go fuck yourselves Koch Brothers!!!!

[brooklynite]

22. You didnt keep an up to date Passport? Foolish...

It’s always a good idea to b able to travel, and to be able to prove US Citizenship.

[iscooterliberally]

24. Why? Where are you taking me?

I have already worked in many different countries. I have no desire get on another airplane if I can help it. Of all the problems I currently have, updating my passport isn’t going help solve any of them. I understand that being ready to travel is a good idea. I got my first passport well before I ever left the US. I was young and raring to go back then. If I win the lottery and can afford a nice over seas vacation then I’ll get another one, but there’s no hurry for me to get that done. I can ride my bicycle to a nice beach where I live now and enjoy it all year long. I have a house full of furry critters to look after as well. International travel was checked off of my bucket list long ago.