Western Europeans Turning Against US After Greenland Threat, Poll Finds
Large majorities in six Western European nations now express significant antipathy towards the United States under Donald Trump's administration, with strong support for European self-assertion and autonomy according to a comprehensive new survey. The polling data reveals that European opinions of the US have plunged to their lowest recorded levels since YouGov began tracking these sentiments a decade ago.
Dramatic Decline in Favorable Perceptions
The survey indicates that the US president's attempted acquisition of Greenland has succeeded in turning European public opinion solidly against his country. Across Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Great Britain, substantial majorities now declare an unfavorable opinion of the United States. These figures range from 62% in France to a striking 84% in Denmark, where Greenland operates as a self-governing territory within the Danish realm.
These numbers represent a further steep increase in negative perceptions since November, when the range was between 49% and 70%. The polling also demonstrates that Europeans in ever-increasing numbers no longer view the US as a friendly nation, with significantly fewer respondents in all six countries considering America an ally.
Denmark's Dramatic Shift in Sentiment
Denmark, where unfavorable opinions of the US increased most substantially, also recorded the greatest change in perceptions of American friendship. In July 2023, a remarkable 80% of Danes said they saw the United States as a friend or ally. Currently, fewer than 26% maintain this view, representing one of the most dramatic shifts in European public opinion recorded in recent years.
Agreement and Disagreement with US Positions
The survey reveals nuanced European perspectives on various policy positions. Europeans tend to agree with the Trump administration's diagnosis that Europe has been too reliant on the US for defense, with agreement ranging from 59% to 74% across the six nations. Similarly, 52% to 63% believe Europe has allowed excessive immigration, while 45% to 62% think Europe has been too hesitant on the world stage.
However, Europeans strongly disagree with repeated US claims that European governments impose excessive restrictions on free speech, with only 18% to 31% supporting this position. Even fewer share Trump's view that the European Union has been unfair in its trade dealings with the United States, with agreement ranging from just 10% to 17%.
Perceptions of Power and Dependence
Despite calls from several European political leaders for the EU to exercise its considerable economic clout in dealings with the US, the survey shows most respondents believe the United States remains stronger than Europe economically, diplomatically and militarily. Furthermore, between 63% and 78% of Europeans believe their continent's defense and peace still rely on American support, with 49% to 64% feeling similarly about Europe's prosperity.
Most respondents unsurprisingly believe a breakdown in EU-US relations would be detrimental to Europe. Nonetheless, the dispute over Greenland appears to have focused Western European minds, with the most widely held view across all countries (41% to 55%) being that European autonomy should now be prioritized over preserving the transatlantic alliance.
Limited Willingness to Accommodate US Demands
Western Europeans demonstrate limited willingness to make sacrifices to preserve good relations with the United States. The only measure respondents in all countries surveyed said they would consider is reducing immigration, a goal most support regardless of transatlantic relations.
Respondents in Great Britain, Denmark, France and Germany would also consider boosting national defense spending to maintain positive relations with the US, though those in Spain and Italy show less enthusiasm for this approach. Danes and Britons show more willingness than other Europeans to significantly increase aid to Ukraine as part of maintaining transatlantic ties.
However, Europeans generally demonstrate strong resistance to easing restrictions on hate speech, adopting US-approved international trade policies, agreeing to trade deals more favorable to the US than Europe, covering the cost of American armed forces in Europe, or disbanding the European Union.
Future Expectations and Contingency Planning
Despite European leaders warning that "the world has changed permanently," the poll suggests many Europeans still believe US foreign policy will "revert to normal" once Trump leaves office, with this view held by 39% in Germany to 57% in Denmark.
If transatlantic relations do break down, most respondents (except those in Italy) support increased defense spending. Europeans remain more divided on boosting aid to Ukraine in such a scenario, and few (20% to 31%) want Europe to forge closer relations with other major powers as an alternative to US ties.
By contrast, there is broad support for greater political integration within Europe if EU-US relations deteriorate. Between 46% and 63% of respondents support giving the European Union greater powers and decision-making capacity, significantly more than those who oppose such measures.
The comprehensive survey paints a picture of a European public increasingly skeptical of American leadership under the current administration, more committed to European autonomy, and willing to consider significant changes to the traditional transatlantic relationship that has defined Western politics for decades.
