Donald Trump has caused lasting damage to the US reputation in Europe.Image: keystone
A new survey questions the transatlantic relationship. In several EU countries, the USA is now seen as a greater threat than China. This is surprising – and shows a profound change in mood.
Apr 11, 2026, 9:57 amApr 11, 2026, 9:57 am
For decades, the USA was considered Europe’s closest ally, then the exit from Ukraine, the customs dispute and the Iran war followed in President Donald Trump’s second term in office. A new survey from the US news portal Politico now shows how much European trust in the USA has changed recently: In several EU countries, more people now see the United States as a threat than China.
Around 6,700 people were surveyed in the six most important EU countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Poland. 36 percent of those surveyed see the USA as a threat to Europe. China, on the other hand, is only perceived as a risk by 29 percent. The level of skepticism towards the USA varies significantly depending on the country.
The mood in Spain is particularly critical: a majority of those surveyed there classify the USA as a threat. A skeptical attitude towards Washington also prevails in Italy, Belgium and France. In Germany the picture is somewhat more moderate – but here too, a significant part of the population no longer fully sees the USA as a partner.
Poland is a clear exception. The USA is still considered an important ally there, which can be explained by the country’s security policy proximity to Washington.
Despite the loss of trust in the USA, Russia clearly remains the biggest threat to the EU states. This perception is particularly pronounced in Poland.
China is also seen by many Europeans as a strategic opponent – although significantly less so than the USA or Russia. A relatively uniform picture emerges across the countries examined. China is perceived as an economic and geopolitical competitor, but less as an immediate security risk for Europe.
Defense readiness
The survey also shows a major contradiction in Europe: many respondents are generally in favor of mutual military support within Europe in the event of an attack. But when it comes to one’s own participation, approval drops significantly. Only a small part of the population would be willing to actively fight.
The willingness to provide military support in the event of an alliance is also striking: the willingness to defend a NATO country under attack is similar to that of an EU state. This underlines how important NATO remains for many Europeans’ understanding of security – even in a phase of growing skepticism towards the USA.
When it comes to defending one’s own country, approval is generally high. Many respondents are in favor of defending their own country in an emergency – but their personal willingness to take up arms and fight actively is rather low.
Support for Ukraine
When it comes to support for Ukraine, there is also a differentiated picture among the six most important EU states. In principle, a majority in all countries examined are in favor of continuing to support Ukraine – politically, financially and militarily.
But approval is not equally strong everywhere. It is particularly high in Poland, where the proximity to war and the security situation play a central role. There is also majority support in Germany and France, although less clearly.
In countries like Italy or Spain, approval is more cautious. There, skepticism about military involvement is greater and support is more focused on diplomatic or humanitarian aid.