U.S. Team Celebrations Turn Sour for Vance at Games Opening

By Daniella Matar and Colleen Barry

MILAN (AP) – The United States delegation received a mixed reception at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on February 9, 2026. While athletes were greeted with cheers, boos and whistles erupted from the crowd when U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, appeared on the stadium screens.

Reasons for the Disapproval

The negative reaction towards the U.S. delegation reflects a growing trend of diminished support for the United States among its allies. This erosion of goodwill is largely attributed to the increasingly assertive foreign policy adopted under the governance of former President Donald Trump. Key policies that have contributed to this sentiment include:

• Punitive Tariffs: The imposition of tariffs on goods from various countries, particularly during the Trump administration, strained international trade relations and fostered resentment. Council on Foreign Relations
• Intervention in Venezuela: The U.S. government’s involvement in Venezuelan political affairs,including sanctions and support for opposition figures,was viewed by some as interference in a sovereign nation’s internal matters. Reuters
• threats Regarding Greenland: Former President Trump’s expressed interest in perhaps purchasing Greenland,and subsequent discussions,were widely perceived as undiplomatic and disrespectful. BBC News

These actions, and others, led to a perception of the U.S. as acting unilaterally and disregarding the interests of its allies