Europeans increasingly see US as threat over China, poll finds

A new survey reveals that only 12% of respondents consider the United States a close ally, while 36% view the country as a threat. By comparison, 29% of respondents perceived China as a threat.

At the national level, the perceived threat from the US outweighed that from China in four countries. The exceptions were France and Poland, where a majority of respondents viewed China as a greater danger.

The most negative attitude toward the US was recorded in Spain, 51% view Washington as a threat to Europe. In Italy, 46% share this view; in Belgium, 42%; in France, 37%; and in Germany, 30%.

Poland was an exception, as it borders Russia and views its alliance with the US as its key security guarantee: only 13% of respondents said the US poses a risk.

At the same time, Russia remains the greatest threat to Europeans, 70% of respondents identified it as a danger.

Photo: Politico poll

The poll surveyed 6,698 Europeans in Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and Belgium. The survey was conducted from March 13 to 21.

Trump's disappointing rating

Another poll showed that nearly half of Europeans (48% of respondents) consider US President Donald Trump an enemy of Europe.

The highest figures were recorded in Belgium (62%) and France (57%), while the lowest were in Croatia (37%) and Poland (19%).

Meanwhile, Trump’s approval rating in the US has hit a historic low. Overall support for his performance as President stands at just 38%, while 59% of Americans disapprove of his work.

Another poll showed that Trump's approval rating is at its lowest since he returned to politics.

Analysts attribute this to Americans' dissatisfaction with the high cost of living and the progress of the investigation into the case of the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.