Some 73% of EU citizens believe that the European Union should ‘go its own way’ after decades of close cooperation with the United States, a new study by Bertelsmann Stiftung has found.
This is up from 63% in 2024, reflecting changing attitudes across all demographic groups, particularly among older Europeans.
Other takeaways from Bertelsmann Stiftung‘s findings, which were gathered between September 2024 and March 2026, included that 58% of EU respondents said they no longer viewed Washington as trustworthy.
Elsewhere, the share of respondents identifying the United States as Europe’s most valuable ally fell by 20 percentage points compared with 2024. The survey was published ahead of Europe Day, which took place on 9 May.
‘More independent’
“The message […] is unmistakable: Europeans want to become more independent from the United States,” commented Florian Kommer, senior expert for European strategic issues at Bertelsmann Stiftung. “Trust has eroded, America’s standing as Europe’s central partner has fallen. The partnership is not beyond repair, but our data points to a deeper, structural rift in transatlantic relations.
“European citizens are calling for greater independence, notably in foreign and security policy. Policymakers need to translate this call into detailed policies and a real investment in Europe’s own capabilities.”
Shift in public opinion
According to the foundation, the findings point to a shift in European public opinion during the second Trump presidency and amid continuing geopolitical tensions. However, the report also suggested that declining trust in the United States has not led Europeans to move closer to China, with a large majority supporting reduced dependancy on China, even if at economic costs.
Instead, the research found increasing support for partnerships with countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. The study described this as a rebalancing of alliances within the existing Western framework rather than a departure from it. Support for NATO also remained strong, with 63% of respondents continuing to view the alliance as central to European security.
“In this context, building a stronger and more self-reliant Europe goes hand in hand with expanding its partnerships to ensure greater resilience and strategic stability,” added Brandon Bohrn, senior expert for transatlantic relations at Bertelsmann Stiftung. Read more here.
