Public favorability toward the United States has sharply declined in Europe, while support for EU common defense has reached a 20-year high.

Survey: European Public's Favorability Toward the U.S. Plummets, EU Common Defense Support Hits 20-Year High

According to a new survey released by AFP on Friday, May 8, about three-quarters of Europeans now hold a negative view of the United States—a proportion that has sharply increased over recent months.

Based on a survey conducted by the EU's official Eurobaromètre polling agency across 27 member states, 74% of Europeans currently have a negative opinion of the United States, marking a 14-percentage-point increase from last autumn.

In comparison, 83% of EU citizens hold a negative view of Russia, while 41% hold a negative view of India.

Today, only 24% of Europeans still maintain a positive impression of the United States.

Meanwhile, about three-quarters of respondents believe the EU is a "stabilizing force" in an "uncertain world."

AFP noted that policies such as the Trump administration's tariff measures, comments regarding Greenland, and U.S. positions on conflicts in the Middle East may be key reasons behind the deterioration of European perceptions toward the United States.

The survey also revealed that 81% of Europeans support the establishment of a common defense and security policy for the EU—reaching a 20-year high.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1864683152897035/

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