European leaders have been quick to overlook U.S. President Donald Trump’s unauthorized military action in Venezuela and his audacious claims on Greenland, but Europeans themselves increasingly see Washington as more of a foe than a friend.
This is highlighted by a poll from the European Council on Foreign Relations and Oxford University’s Europe in a Changing World research project, conducted in November 2025. The poll, which surveyed 26,000 people across 21 countries, found that only one in six respondents viewed the U.S. as an ally, whereas one in five saw it as a rival or adversary. This sentiment is particularly strong in Germany, France, and Spain, approaching 30 percent, and in Switzerland, it reaches 39 percent due to increased tariffs highlighted by Trump.
Support for the U.S. has rapidly dwindled across Europe. As global power dynamics shift, perceptions of Europe are evolving as well.
With Trump’s America First policy often sidelining Europe, other nations are now recognizing the EU as an autonomous geopolitical entity. This is especially notable in Russia, where the public’s hostility towards the U.S. has eased, with 37 percent now seeing the U.S. as an adversary, down from 64 percent two years prior. Instead, Europeans face increased scrutiny, with 72 percent of Russians viewing the EU as either an adversary or a rival, up from 69 percent the previous year.
Additionally, Washington’s change in policy towards Russia has influenced its approach to Ukraine, prompting Ukrainians, once reliant on the U.S., to seek protection from Europe. Ukrainians differentiate U.S. from European policies, with nearly two-thirds expecting strengthened relations with the EU, compared to only a third anticipating the same with the U.S.
Beyond Europe, Trump’s first year in office has significantly shifted global alliances, drawing countries closer to China. From South Africa and Brazil to Turkey, many foresee their relationships with China intensifying in the next five years. In these regions, more people view Beijing as an ally compared to Washington.
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