Overview
- The European Pulse survey of 6,698 adults across Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Belgium, conducted March 13–21, found 36% view the U.S. as a threat, 29% say the same of China, and 70% identify Russia as a threat, with only 12% calling America a close ally.
- Spain registered the sharpest turn from Washington, with 51% labeling the U.S. a risk after the Sánchez government opposed the U.S.-Israeli campaign in Iran and blocked American use of Spanish bases and airspace.
- Italy, Belgium, France and Germany also showed sizable concern about the U.S., with threat perceptions at 46%, 42%, 37% and 30% respectively, according to the poll.
- Poland stood out as the exception, with just 13% seeing the U.S. as a risk and the country planning to spend 4.8% of GDP on defense this year, the highest among those polled.
- Support for European autonomy is broad, with 86% saying Europe should build its own defense capabilities and 69% backing a common European force, yet only 19% say they would take up arms and 47% prefer noncombat roles if their country were attacked.