Europe Poll Finds Most People Doubt U.S. Would Help in an Attack

A survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations found that only 11 percent of Europeans see the United States as a steadfast ally. Most respondents said relations with Washington will improve after President Donald Trump leaves office.

A new survey by the research institute of the European Council on Foreign Relations shows that only a small share of Europeans still view the United States as a steadfast ally. An overwhelming majority of respondents also do not believe the United States would help their country in the event of an attack by a foreign state, mainly Russia. The survey was conducted among citizens of 15 European countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain. The results show that only 11 percent on average believe that “the U.S. is still an ally that shares our values and interests.” In a previous survey conducted six months ago, an average of 16 percent said the United States was still considered an ally. In a survey conducted in November 2024, the share of positive responses stood at 22 percent. Most respondents pointed to President Donald Trump as the main factor behind their lack of trust in the United States. Many also said they believe that “relations with Washington will improve after Trump’s term ends.”

Another question examined in the survey was how confident citizens are that the United States or another European country would help their country in the event of an attack. Poland recorded the highest level of trust in the United States, with 37 percent of respondents saying they believe Washington would help them. In Britain, 35 percent said they trust the United States, compared with 72 percent who trust another European country more. In France, 29 percent expressed confidence in the United States, while 68 percent said they would prefer to rely on another European country. Spain recorded the lowest level of trust in the United States, with only 12 percent of respondents believing Washington would help them in the event of an attack. By contrast, 66 percent of Spaniards said they trust another European country more.