Critical view in Europe of US policy and economy

For more than a decade, the actions of politicians and parties in the United States have been presented to Europeans - whether in England, Germany, Spain or Switzerland - in a predominantly critical light.

In particular, public television in Madrid has become the sharpest critic. While the U.S. economy, at least, was considered to be quite strong a good ten years ago, this has also changed significantly for the worse during Trump's and Biden's terms in office. The wisdom imparted to every student in Europe 50 years ago - "If the economy catches a cold in America, it will lead to pneumonia in Europe" - no longer applies since the subprime crisis and the subsequent banking collapse. In particular, Europe's strong SME sector has fundamentally changed its strategy to become less dependent on adverse developments in the US.

Nevertheless, Americans' number one concern - inflation - is directly related to their number 5 concern: the chronic national debt. For decades, the land of opportunity has lived on credit. George W. Bush tried to spend no more than he took in, but with Obama the gap has widened significantly. Since then, Washington has believed that spending an average of 20 percent more than it takes in is doing the people a favor. By 2024 alone, the gap is projected to be $1.9 trillion. When it comes to reporting on concern no. 5, the federal budget deficit, it is quite different: FOX reports more intensively and warns more frequently than CBS.