The article details the author's experience encountering numerous apologies from Americans while traveling in Mexico. These apologies weren't superficial but heartfelt and stemmed from the political climate and the actions of the Trump administration.
The author shares several personal anecdotes: an encounter in an elevator, an interaction at a ballet performance, and a phone call with a Wayfair customer service agent. In each instance, Americans expressed regret and shame regarding the US government's actions toward Canada.
The author connects the apologies to negative perceptions of the Trump administration. While acknowledging that these are anecdotal, the author points to polls suggesting that many Americans opposed the then-current administration's policies and suggests the apologies reflected a shared understanding of the strained relations between Canada and the US.
The article concludes by noting the contrast between the profuse apologies and the more ambivalent view of the situation expressed by one Mexican, hinting at ongoing uncertainty about future US-Canada relations.