• Only 11% of Europeans now view the U.S. as an ally, a historic low.
• Many Europeans consider the U.S. as a "necessary partner" instead of an ally.
• 25% see the U.S. as a rival or adversary, with increased skepticism across many countries.
• Majorities doubt U.S. defense support in the event of an attack.
• Many believe relationships will improve once Trump leaves office.

A recent survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations indicates that only 11% of Europeans across 15 countries view the United States as an ally, marking a historic low, down from 16% six months ago and a staggering 22% in November 2024, as reported by Reuters and CBS News.

The findings suggest a growing skepticism among Europeans regarding the U.S. as a reliable security partner, with majorities in all surveyed countries expressing doubts about the likelihood of U.S. assistance in the event of an attack. According to the report, half of the respondents consider the U.S. a "necessary partner," while 25% perceive it as a rival or adversary. Countries like Denmark, France, Spain, and Switzerland exhibited particularly high levels of this skepticism, as noted by The Local and Reuters.

Many of those surveyed believe the declining perception of the U.S. stems from President Trump's controversial foreign policy actions, such as threats to leave NATO and unilateral military actions, which have led to a lack of faith in the U.S. commitment to European defense. A co-author of the ECFR study, Jana Kobzová, suggested that there is widespread support for reducing dependence on Washington and for enhancing national defense capabilities within Europe, according to CBS News and The Local.

Despite the current discontent, there is a prevailing sentiment among Europeans that relations with the U.S. could improve after Trump leaves office, with many hoping for a more positive trajectory for future transatlantic relations as indicated by CBS News and The Local.