Key facts
- Only 11% of Europeans surveyed across 15 countries now see the US as an ally.
- Majorities in all surveyed countries doubt the US would come to their aid if attacked.
- European confidence in US security guarantees has reached a historic low.
- Respondents show increased support for higher national defense spending and reducing dependence on the US.
- A majority believe US-European relations will improve once President Trump leaves office.
A survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) indicates a significant decline in European confidence in the United States as an ally and security guarantor. Published ahead of upcoming G7 and NATO summits, the report reveals that only 11% of respondents across 15 countries now view the US as an ally, a decrease from previous surveys. Majorities in every country polled expressed doubt that the US would intervene if they were attacked.
The survey attributes this shift to factors including President Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions, such as his approach to the Middle East, threats regarding European troop presence, and skepticism towards NATO. Consequently, Europeans are increasingly advocating for greater self-reliance in defense, with a notable rise in support for increased national defense spending and collective EU initiatives for defense financing.
While the prevailing sentiment is that relations with Washington might improve after Trump leaves office, the immediate focus for many Europeans is on hedging against perceived US unreliability. This pragmatism extends to a desire to reduce dependence on US military hardware, with a strong preference for European-sourced defense equipment. The report also highlights that a majority of Europeans oppose resuming oil and gas imports from Russia, and opinion remains divided on Ukraine's potential EU membership.