On February 6, The Guardian published data from a large-scale survey conducted by YouGov in 6 Western European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. The report noted a clear decline in the sympathy of people in this region for the US.
Analysts point out that recent statements and moves by President Donald Trump's administration related to the issue of Greenland's sovereignty are the most powerful factor affecting this psychological change.
According to statistics, the percentage of people with negative views about the US in the surveyed countries is high. This number ranges from 62% in France to 84% in Denmark. Compared to data recorded in November last year, these indicators all increased sharply, reflecting a rapid change in the perception of the European public.
The most notable is the decline in confidence in Denmark - the country that manages Greenland. In July 2023, up to 80% of Danish people participated in a survey to see the US as a friend or ally. However, at the present time, this number has decreased to below 26%.
YouGov's report also delves into analyzing Europeans' views on specific policies. One noteworthy point is that the European public still agrees with some assessments from the US.
The majority of respondents (from 59% to 74%) admitted that Europe is too dependent on US defense protection. In addition, concerns about loosening immigration control have also been agreed upon.
However, the people of the old continent reject accusations that their government is restricting freedom of speech or implementing unfair trade policies towards the US.
The Greenland case has driven a shift in strategic thinking in the region. The most common view today is that Europe needs to prioritize autonomy and protect core values, rather than prioritizing maintaining transatlantic relations.
People in these countries said that they are not willing to change economic or social policies just to meet requirements from the US.
Regarding the future orientation if US-Europe relations continue to face difficulties, the majority of opinions do not support seeking alliances with other powers.
Instead, about 46% to 63% of respondents support a solution to strengthen intra-bloc linkages. They want the European Union (EU) to be given more power and decision-making capacity to be more autonomous in international issues.
