Trump is making Danish engineers homesick

The American dream has been shattered for some Danish engineers who currently live and work in the United States. The political situation, including the introduction of new economic sanctions against the rest of the world on an almost daily basis, and President Trump's massive attack on universities has left its mark.

A new survey finds that every second Danish engineer states that they either agree or strongly agree that their desire to work in the US has been negatively affected by the political situation. The survey was conducted by the IDA among 166 of the union’s members who live and work in the US, of which 33 responded.

About one in four is considering leaving the US behind and finding a job elsewhere, or returning home to Denmark, and IDA's President Laura Klitgaard understands why that is the case.

‘The almost fraudulent approach to science and research that comes from central government in the United States goes against facts and knowledge, which is deeply embedded in the DNA of engineers. And when one reputable university after another is hit by deep cuts, it clearly gives food for thought,’ she says.

The concerns are greatest among educators and researchers, and among Danish engineers working with climate, energy and the environment. But the survey also shows that the tense political environment is not only a challenge for expatriate Danes – it also applies to many of their international colleagues. 

Just over half of the Danish engineers surveyed express that every second one of their non-American colleagues' desire to work in the United States has also been negatively affected by the many announcements from the White House.  

‘Uncertainty has clearly spread in record time among foreign knowledge workers in the US. Many are in doubt as to whether they themselves or their workplace have been bought or sold, and therefore many will look to other continents. So we must do everything in both Denmark and Europe to welcome them if they are serious about leaving America,’ says Laura Klitgaard.

The mood among American scientists is no better. A study from the scientific journal Nature shows that 75 percent of American researchers surveyed are considering moving from the United States because of Trump.