The United States under Donald Trump is seen more as a threat than an ally, according to a new Politico poll conducted in six EU countries.
According to the European Pulse survey, carried out from March 13 to 21, 2026, among 6,698 respondents in Poland, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy, only 12% of those polled view America as a “close ally.” Meanwhile, 36% see the US as a threat to Europe.
Negative perceptions are even stronger in some countries. In Spain, more than half of respondents (51%) called Washington a threat—the highest rate among the six nations. The US outranks China as a perceived threat in Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.
By comparison, Russia remains the clear adversary—70% of all respondents consider it a threat.
The poll reflects growing European distrust of transatlantic relations amid the Trump administration’s actions: questions about NATO commitments, tariff threats, statements about potentially exiting the alliance, and other foreign policy moves.
This is one in a series of recent European polls showing a cooling in relations with the US. Similar trends were previously recorded by YouGov and other research centers.