The positive sentiment comes at a time when Hollande is embroiled in scandal at home over a bitter split with his partner.įour in 10 French Approve of U.S. In 2011, favorability ratings reached the 70% range, where they have since remained. Outrage toward France spurred numerous restaurants to rename French fries, 'freedom fries.' Those restaurants included three House of Representatives cafeterias, which also renamed French toast, 'freedom toast.'Īs the 2000s wore on, Americans' opinions of France improved, with favorable views doubling to 69% by 2008. Not only did 64% of Americans view France unfavorably in a March 2003 Gallup poll, but 39% viewed their longtime ally very unfavorably. support for the Iraq war in 2003 upended the country's image in the U.S. However, France's opposition to the United States' call for U.N. The 1991 reading may have reflected Americans' appreciation for France's active participation in the 1991 Gulf War, and the 2002 poll came shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when Americans may also have welcomed French moral support. is near the record of 79% measured in 19. Overall favorability toward France in the U.S. image more than 10 years after it tumbled to 34% favorable in 2003, when France refused to back the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. This represents a full restoration of France's U.S. this week, including being honored at the first state dinner of President Barack Obama's second term, 78% of Americans view France favorably. As French President Francois Hollande visits the U.S.

Freedom fries world war