For the first time in the post-war era, a plurality of Europeans citizens and Greeks no longer sees the United States as a strategic friend but as a competitor, according to a survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
The survey, which sampled nearly 26,000 respondents across thirteen European nations alongside global powers like India, Brazil, and South Korea, reveals a startling decline in American soft power.
In Europe, a mere 16 percent of respondents still view the US as a reliable ally, while 20 percent now classify America as a “rival” or “enemy.” Paradoxically, Trump’s “America First” withdrawal from the liberal international order has granted other nations “license” to forge deeper ties with Beijing. Consequently, a vast majority expect China’s global dominance to expand rapidly over the next decade.
South Africa led the view of China as a global leader, with 83% of respondents believing that China will have more global influence over the next decade. That was followed by 72% in Brazil and 63% in Turkey. In the US, 54% of respondents held that view, as did an average 53% of respondents across the ten EU countries surveyed. The UK had the fewest respondents who held that view, with just 50% believing China’s global influence will grow.
The Greek perspective on the US under Trump
The global trend of American “de-coupling” is mirrored—and in some ways intensified—within Greece. A parallel survey conducted by AboutPeople for News247 titled “How Greeks Viewed One Year of Trump 2.0” highlights a nation deeply skeptical of the current Washington administration.
Key findings from the Greek survey include:
- A “necessary” partner, not an ally: Consistent with the broader EU trend, Greeks are increasingly viewing the US through a pragmatic lens. Rather than a “brother-in-arms” sharing values, the relationship is seen as a strategic necessity that must be managed carefully.
- Fear of instability: The “Trump 2.0” era is perceived by a plurality of Greeks as a source of global instability. Concerns regarding his transactional approach to NATO and regional security have led to a desire for greater European autonomy.
- The China factor: Like their global counterparts, a significant portion of the Greek public recognizes the inevitability of China’s rise. Rather than viewing Beijing as a threat, Greeks are more likely to see it as a vital economic partner, especially as US protectionism grows.
- Pessimism toward the West: Greek data reflects a broader “Western pessimism.” While Greeks still value European ideals, there is a growing belief that the “Western bloc” is in relative decline, overshadowed by the rising multipolar influence of the BRICS nations and China.
The combined results of these surveys suggest that the “West vs. the Rest” template of the 20th century is officially obsolete. As one ECFR report author noted, Trump’s aggressive interventionist streaks—such as those seen in Venezuela or Greenland—have reinforced the perception that the US prefers being “feared over being loved.”
