Politico Survey: Citizens in the UK, France, Germany, and Canada Respond
"Majority Say the U.S. Tends to Create Problems"
Higher Rate of Negative Perception in Canada, Lower in the UK
A recent survey has found that a significant number of citizens in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada-key Western allies of the United States-hold a negative perception of America's presence in the international community. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, pressure to increase defense spending, and stance on the Ukraine war appear to have adversely affected public opinion in these countries.
Last April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs imposed on various countries at the White House. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
On December 24, Yonhap News reported, "According to a survey jointly conducted by U.S. political media outlet Politico and polling firm Public First, and released on the 23rd (local time), more than half of respondents from these four G7 countries said that 'the United States tends to create problems rather than solve those of other countries.'" The response rates were highest in Canada (63%), followed by Germany (52%), France (47%), and the United Kingdom (46%).
In Canada, 56% of respondents described the U.S. as a "negative presence" in the international community. In both Germany and France, those who viewed the U.S. as a "negative presence" (40% each) outnumbered those who saw it as a "positive presence" (29% and 34%, respectively). However, in the United Kingdom, more respondents viewed the U.S. as a positive presence (41%) than a negative one (35%).
After taking office, President Trump fueled discontent among Canadians with provocative remarks, such as referring to then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a "governor" and claiming he would annex Canada as the 51st U.S. state. In contrast, the United Kingdom was the first to reach a trade agreement with the U.S. during the Trump administration's tariff war, ultimately securing a more favorable position than the European Union.
Photos of private conversations related to the Ukraine war between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, released by the White House last August. The seating arrangement, which appeared to place President Trump in the seat of honor, sparked reactions in Europe describing it as humiliating. Photo by White House X
When asked in the survey whether the U.S. supports or pressures its allies, more respondents in all four countries said the U.S. "pressures" them rather than "supports" them. The percentage of respondents who felt pressured by the U.S. was highest in Canada (60%), followed by Germany (46%), France (45%), and the United Kingdom (41%).
In contrast, a survey of American citizens found that 49% believe the U.S. supports its allies. Additionally, 51% said the U.S. plays a positive role in the international community, indicating that Americans view their country's role more favorably than do its allies.
This survey was conducted from the 5th to the 9th of the month, targeting more than 2,000 adults each in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, for a total of 10,510 respondents.
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