European trust in US hits record low amid Greenland crisis

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — A comprehensive study by YouGov in January 2026 reveals that negative sentiment toward the United States has reached its highest level in a decade across Western Europe, following renewed diplomatic friction over Greenland.

The research indicates that the majority of European citizens now prioritize the preservation of the continent’s strategic independence and core values over maintaining a traditional alliance with Washington. This shift comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric regarding the potential occupation of Greenland, which has sparked a severe backlash in Denmark and its neighbors.

Dramatic decline in Danish trust

The most significant shift was recorded in Denmark, where Greenland holds autonomous status. While 80% of Danes viewed the US as a friend or ally in July 2023, that figure plummeted to below 26% by early 2026. Negative views of the US reached a peak of 84% in Denmark, followed by 72% in Germany, 66% in Spain, and 64% in the United Kingdom, marking a sharp increase in distrust since November 2025.

Prioritizing independence over alliance

Despite the growing animosity, Europeans remain realistic about their structural dependencies. Between 63% and 78% of respondents acknowledge that European peace and security still rely on US support, while roughly half admit that the continent’s economic prosperity remains tied to Washington.

However, political priorities are evolving. More than 40% of citizens in France and Germany—and 55% in Denmark—now state that protecting European values and political independence is more important than the transatlantic alliance. Support for prioritizing the US alliance has dwindled to approximately 30% in most surveyed nations.

Support for European integration and defense

The survey suggests that a potential fracture in transatlantic relations could lead to stronger internal European integration. Between 46% and 63% of participants argued that the European Union should be granted more authority and decision-making capacity. Additionally, there is strong public support for increasing national defense budgets if relations with the US continue to deteriorate, a sentiment echoed across all surveyed countries except Italy.

Hope for post-Trump normalization

While current relations are strained, a significant portion of the European public believes US foreign policy will eventually return to "normal" after the Trump administration. This belief is strongest in Denmark (57%) and Germany (39%). Nevertheless, Europeans remain firm against making concessions on trade, military funding, or domestic hate speech laws to satisfy Washington’s current demands.

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Source : EuroNews