Most EU Citizens Do Not See The US As A Trustworthy Partner, Study Finds

BERLIN, May 7 (Bernama-dpa) -- A majority of citizens in the European Union do not see the United States as a trustworthy partner, according to a study based on surveys in all 27 member states.

Donald Trump’s presidency has left deep marks, the Bertelsmann Foundation said in an analysis. More than 18,000 adults aged 18 to 69 were surveyed representatively by the research institute Nira Data in March.

According to the study, 58 per cent of EU citizens said the US was not a trustworthy partner. In Germany, the figure was even higher at 73 per cent, study author Florian Kommer told dpa.

Only 31 per cent of those surveyed considered the US to be the EU's most important partner. In September 2024, the figure had stood at 51 per cent, marking a decline of 20 percentage points.

Almost three in four respondents, or 73 per cent, said Europe should "go its own way" after decades of close ties with the US. In late 2024, 63 per cent of respondents held that view.

The foundation concluded that "a polarising US president and increasing geopolitical tensions have shifted public opinion in Europe towards greater independence".

At the same time, the study suggested that China is not gaining importance among EU respondents as a possible alternative partner, with scepticism towards Beijing remaining high.

The United Kingdom and Canada are seen as playing a greater role as strategic partners, according to the study.

Support for the NATO defence alliance remains strong, with 63 per cent of respondents continuing to see it as a central pillar of security.

-- BERNAMA-dpa