The latest POLITICO poll shows that Donald Trump's efforts to change long-standing international relations — especially in Europe — they alienate long-time, traditionally loyal partners of the United States. The weakening of their reputation raises new questions about the stability of the world order that has persisted for decades and the country's strength on the international stage.
In all countries surveyed, a majority of people described the United States as an unreliable ally – half of adult respondents said this in Germany and 57% in Canada. Also in France, the percentage of people who considered the United States an unreliable ally was more than twice as high as the percentage of respondents who considered it a trustworthy ally.
The authors of the study recorded the highest level of credibility in the United States in Great Britain, but it was still not high – only 35%. Britons considered the United States a reliable ally, while 39 percent answered differently.
An unreliable ally
US military power is increasingly viewed as an insecure asset. The majority of adults in France and Germany found the POLITICO survey stated that she did not believe that enemies were afraid to attack them because of their relationship with the United States. In just one year, there was a significant decline of 10%. the percentage of UK adults who still view the US alliance as an effective deterrent against enemy attacks.
An online survey conducted by independent London research firm Public First shows that over the past year Trust in the United States has plummeted among four key NATO allies. In Britain, France and Germany, negative perceptions of the United States outweigh positive ones on key issues such as protecting democracy, shared values and being a reliable ally.
It started with a speech by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference last year that shocked European leaders. After that, relations between Washington and its key NATO allies were strained by trade disputes, Trump's aggressive rhetoric and his campaign to seize Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark.
All these crises have led European leaders to the conclusion that relations with the United States have changed fundamentally. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told an audience in Davos, Switzerland, in January that “we are in the middle of a rupture [tych relacji]not transformation.
Without the US
In an interview with several European outlets published this week, French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized the “threats and intimidation” from Washington. He also warned other EU leaders that transatlantic relations were unlikely to return to normal any time soon.
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During the opening ceremony of the Milan Winter Olympics, Vance was greeted with loud boos and booing. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, explained this reaction with “European pride” and the “not very nice” words of the US administration towards Europe.
“Last year, the public believed the United States was an unreliable but crucial ally that deterred enemies even though it was somewhat unpredictable,” says Seb Wride, head of polling at Public First.
— But now, instead of taking the transatlantic deterrence offered by NATO for granted, European public opinion does not believe in its existence. The main question for leaders currently heading to the Munich Security Conference is how to recreate the alliance's security guarantees without the participation of the United States, he adds.
Pessimism, but also hope
The POLITICO poll also shows that a growing share of respondents in the countries surveyed do not believe the United States shares their values or protects democracy, which has long been a core tenet of American policy.
In France, only 17 percent respondents agreed with the statement: “The United States shares our values,” while 49 percent answered differently. In Germany 50 percent respondents said that the United States did not share their values, and only 18 percent recognized that Washington “protects democracy”.
Trump will certainly play an important role at the Munich conference. On the eve of this event French President Emmanuel Macron said the Trump administration is “openly anti-European.”
While adults in key NATO countries have increasingly negative views of the United States, they also have some hope for the future. In the POLITICO survey, a majority of respondents in Germany, France and the United Kingdom said Trump had weakened relations with their countries but could be rebuilt — after he leaves office.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
