Only 11% of Europeans now view US as an ally, poll shows

Investing.com -- A new survey shows that only 11% of Europeans across 15 countries consider the United States an ally, marking a record low in transatlantic relations. The figure represents a decline from 16% six months ago and 22% in November 2024.

The European Council on Foreign Relations published the findings on Wednesday, ahead of upcoming G7 and NATO summits. The survey reveals that majorities in all countries polled expressed doubts about whether the US would defend them in case of an attack.

Support for increased national defence spending rose by four percentage points compared to last year among European respondents. Italy remains the only country where a clear majority opposes higher defence budgets.

The poll found that 47% of respondents across the region support collective EU borrowing to fund defence initiatives. Portugal recorded the highest support at 59%, followed by Denmark at 56% and the Netherlands at 55%.

Most Europeans favor reducing dependence on US military equipment and purchasing European alternatives instead. Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden showed the strongest support for buying European-made weapons.

Poland was the only country where a majority favored increasing purchases of US weapons. Germany, Italy and Hungary showed significant division on this issue.

Opposition to cutting domestic public spending to fund higher defence budgets remains strong in Italy at 63%, Austria at 59% and Germany at 56%.

On energy policy, 44% of Europeans opposed resuming oil and gas imports from Russia despite higher costs.

Most respondents continue to view Ukraine as an ally or strategic partner, but support weakens for sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after the war or expanding EU membership eastward.

Majorities in every country except Bulgaria believe US-European relations will improve after President Donald Trump leaves office.

The poll was conducted in May 2026 by pollsters including Mandate Research and YouGov, surveying people aged 18 and over in Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

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