Trust in America hits record low across Europe, new poll finds
Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and Scott Bessent (photo: Getty Images)
Europeans' trust in the US security guarantee has fallen to a historic low, with only one in ten people now viewing the United States as an ally, according to The Guardian.
The study was conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ahead of the G7 and NATO summits.
The authors of the report said the results indicate a "deep European distrust in the US."
How attitudes toward the US have changed
According to the survey, only 11% of respondents described the United States as an ally.
For comparison:
-
Six months ago, the figure stood at 16%;
-
In November 2024, it was 22%.
Most often, Americans are viewed as a "necessary partner" rather than an ally.
Photo: Screenshot of the survey
At the same time:
-
13% of respondents consider the United States a rival;
-
12% described it as a direct adversary.
Do Europeans believe the US would come to their aid?
In most countries, survey participants expressed doubts that Washington would come to their assistance in the event of a military attack.
Instead, people place greater reliance on support from other European countries.
This sentiment was recorded even in countries where right-wing political forces hold strong positions, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Europe wants to invest more in its own security
The survey showed growing support for increased defense spending.
On average, Europeans are 4% more likely to support additional defense funding than they were a year ago.
Additionally, 47% of respondents supported joint EU borrowing to finance defense needs.
The highest levels of support for this idea were recorded in:
-
Portugal;
-
Denmark;
-
the Netherlands;
-
Spain.
Europeans want to be less dependent on American weapons
In most countries, respondents supported reducing dependence on military equipment from the United States.
The strongest support for the "buy European" principle was recorded in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom.
At the same time, significantly fewer people are willing to support cuts to social or other government spending to increase defense budgets.
At the same time, most respondents believe that relations between the United States and Europe could improve after the end of Donald Trump's presidency.
Trump's approval rating
Earlier, another survey found that 48% of Europeans consider US President Donald Trump an enemy of Europe.
In addition, according to The Economist, Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level, making him the least popular US president in the past 16 years.
