Western Europeans prize the values of Europe’s autonomy and transatlantic relations and do not give in to appeasement. Donald Trumpaccording to a poll indicating that opinions in the US have fallen to their lowest level since YouGov began tracking them a decade ago.
of the US President Tried to take over Greenland The pollster’s latest survey found that he succeeded in turning Europeans strongly against his country. Large majorities in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Great Britain all declared an unfavorable opinion.
Figures range from 62% to 84% in France Denmark – which includes the self-governing territory of Greenland – negative perceptions of the US have risen sharply since November, ranging between 49% and 70%.
Polling showed that in ever-increasing numbers, Europeans no longer see America as a friendly country, with fewer respondents in all six countries still considering it an ally.
Those numbers have dropped significantly since the last poll by YouGov asking the same question. Denmark, where unfavorable views of the US have grown the most, also registered a great change in this area: in July 2023, 80% of Danes said they see the US as a friend or ally. Now, less than 26% are.
The survey showed that Europeans agree with the Trump administration’s conclusion that Europe is too dependent on the US for defense (59-74%), has allowed too much immigration (52-63%) and is too hesitant on the world stage (45-62%).
However, they strongly disagree with the repeated US claim that European governments have too much free speech (18-31%), and even fewer share Trump’s view that the EU has been unfair in its trade dealings with the US (10-17%).
Many European political leaders called The EU wields considerable economic influence in its dealings with the US, but most respondents to the survey felt that the US was stronger than Europe economically, diplomatically and militarily.
Moreover, between 63% and 78% believe that Europe’s defense and peace still depend on the US, while 49%-64% feel the same way about their continent’s well-being. Many, surprisingly, think that a breakdown in EU-US relations is bad for Europe.
However, the dispute over Greenland seems to have focused the minds of Western Europe: the broad view across all countries (41%-55%) is that European autonomy should now be prioritized over preserving the Atlantic alliance.
Western Europeans are also not willing to sacrifice much to maintain good relations with the US. The only thing respondents in all the countries surveyed said they were willing to do was reduce immigration — a goal anyway.
Respondents in Great Britain, Denmark, France and Germany — but not in Spain or Italy — would also prefer to increase national defense spending to keep the US side, while the Danes and Britons are willing to refrain from a large increase in aid to Ukraine.
However, Europeans are generally unwilling to loosen restrictions on hate speech, adopt a US-approved international trade policy, accept trade deals that favor the US over Europe, afford US armed forces in Europe, or dissolve the EU.
Despite warnings from European leaders “The world has changed forever”the poll suggests that many Europeans (ranging from 39% in Germany to 57% in Denmark) still believe US foreign policy will “return to normal” after Trump leaves the scene.
If the transatlantic relationship breaks down, most respondents (except in Italy) support higher defense spending. They were further divided on increasing aid to Ukraine, and some (20-31%) wanted Europe to forge closer ties with other major powers.
Conversely, if EU-US relations sour, there is broad support for further political integration in Europe, giving the EU greater powers and decision-making power. Between 46% and 63% support it, significantly more than those who oppose it.
