According to a survey released by the European Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, only 11% of respondents across 15 European countries view the United States as an ally—its lowest level ever, down from 16% six months ago and 22% in November 2024. The survey, published ahead of the G7 and NATO summits, underscores a continued decline in Europe’s confidence in Washington as a reliable security partner. In every surveyed country, a majority of citizens doubt whether the U.S. would come to their defense if their nation were attacked. Most respondents support increasing national defense spending, with support rising by four percentage points compared to last year; Italy is the only country where a clear majority still opposes such increases.
The survey also shows that 47% of Europeans support EU-wide collective borrowing to fund defense projects, with the highest support seen in Portugal, Denmark, and the Netherlands. A majority advocate reducing dependence on U.S. military equipment in favor of European alternatives, with Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden showing the strongest backing for “buying European.” Poland is the only country where a majority still supports increasing purchases of American weapons. On energy and Ukraine issues, 44% of Europeans oppose resuming imports of Russian oil and gas. While most respondents still regard Ukraine as an ally or strategic partner, consensus is weaker regarding deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine after the war or continuing EU eastward expansion. Except for Bulgaria, in all other surveyed countries, a majority believe that U.S.-EU relations will improve after Trump leaves office.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867663701129291/
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