A major new poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations across 15 European countries reveals that only one in every ten Europeans now views the U.S. as an ally, down from 16% six months ago and 22% in November 2024. Half of those polled see the U.S. as a “necessary partner,” while 25% view America as a rival or adversary. This shift is attributed to recent actions by President Trump, including threats to leave NATO, annex Greenland, strike Iran without involving Europeans, and plan the withdrawal of some U.S. troops in Europe.
Majorities across all countries polled expressed lack of confidence that the U.S. would come to their aid if under attack. Most also believe their governments should buy more weapons from European nations and develop an alternative national nuclear deterrent independent of the U.S. Despite this, Europeans surveyed suggest their relationship with the U.S. will “probably get better” after Trump leaves office.
The survey involved 19,481 respondents across Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. The U.S. embassy in London did not comment on the findings.