European Trust in US Hits Historic Low at 11 Percent

A survey published by the European Council on Foreign Relations and reported by Reuters on June 10 found that only 11 percent of Europeans across 15 countries view the United States as an ally—a historic low and a sharp drop from 16 percent six months earlier and 22 percent in November 2024. The collapse in confidence represents a fundamental shift in how Europe assesses its relationship with Washington, raising questions about NATO cohesion, defence spending commitments, and the future of transatlantic security partnerships.

The survey also found that 47 percent of respondents across the region support the idea of collective EU borrowing to fund defence initiatives, with the strongest backing in countries closest to NATO's eastern frontier. This preference for European-led defence spending, rather than reliance on US security guarantees, signals a recalibration of strategic thinking within the bloc. Italy, as a G7 member and NATO ally with significant defence commitments, faces pressure to balance its traditional transatlantic ties with a growing demand from Brussels for European strategic autonomy.