SEATTLE -- Foreigners are less likely to travel in the United States or buy U.S. products or services because of the war in Iraq, says a poll by Seattle-based GMI.
The market research firm's international survey showed people are less willing today to purchase U.S. brands -- notably Starbucks, Marlboro and Mattel -- or fly U.S. owned and operated airlines than prior to the Iraqi invasion.
The poll also found multi-national, American-based companies such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Levis are less likely to be boycotted by international consumers because there are limited alternatives to their products overseas.
Nearly one-fifth of GMI World Poll's international sample says it is less willing to buy U.S.-made products until the United States changes its foreign policy.
Of those polled, more than half said they had a more negative perception of the United States, while 9 percent had a more positive perception -- and in turn, increased purchases of U.S.-made products and services -- due to President Bush's current policies on issues of international importance.
GMI polled 8,000 people, or 1,000 individuals from each of the G8 countries, major industrial democracies including Canada, France, Germany, China, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
