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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Europeans See US Less as Ally: Survey

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A European survey reveals only 11% of Europeans view the US as an ally, a historic low, with confidence in the US plummeting, especially under Donald Trump.
  • A majority of Europeans believe the US would not defend them if attacked and expect relations to improve only after Trump leaves office.
  • The survey, released before G7 and NATO summits, also found Europeans support Ukraine but are cautious about EU membership and deploying troops, while opposing Russian fossil fuels.

A new survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) indicates a significant decline in European trust toward the United States, with only 11% of Europeans now considering the US an ally. This figure represents a historic low, down from 16% six months prior and 22% in November 2024 following Donald Trump's election.

According to the poll, which surveyed 15 European countries, a majority of respondents do not believe the US would defend Europe if attacked. Europeans appear to be embracing self-reliance, though they do not anticipate a complete collapse of transatlantic relations. Confidence in the US as a partner has plummeted in recent years, particularly since Trump's return to the White House. With the exception of Bulgaria, most respondents in each surveyed country anticipate an improvement in transatlantic relations once Trump leaves office.

embrace self-reliance and are clear-eyed about Donald Trump

— European Council on Foreign RelationsThe ECFR poll shows Europeans' attitude towards the US.

The findings emerge ahead of upcoming G7 and NATO summits. The survey highlights European concerns stemming from Trump's policies, including tariffs, threats to withdraw from NATO over perceived insufficient support for the US-Israeli war with Iran and defense spending, and his interest in acquiring Greenland. Disputes, such as the US troop withdrawal from Germany amid tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, further strain ties.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously stated that the breakdown of ties with the US demonstrated the "necessity to build a new form of European independence." The survey also touched on the war in Ukraine, finding that while most Europeans support Ukraine, they are hesitant about its EU membership and deploying troops. Regarding energy, respondents acknowledged a crisis but remained firm in their opposition to Russian fossil-fuel imports. The poll also noted a 4% increase in Europeans favoring boosted defense spending compared to the previous year, with nearly half supporting collective EU borrowing for defense projects and a desire to reduce reliance on US weaponry.

necessity to build a new form of European independence

— Ursula von der LeyenEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the breakdown of ties with the US.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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