Survey Shows Europeans' Distrust of U.S.

A survey released this week by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) shows an interesting insight into the views of Americans and Europeans as relations between the transatlantic partners continue to ebb and flow.

The survey, based on the opinions of 8,000 people on both sides of the water, points to mixed opinions on the state of the relationship in both the U.S. and Europe at a time when the two powers have seen some of the most radical shifts in their modern association. Germany sided more closely with its neighboring European allies than the United States for the first time since the end of World War II amid rising tensions over Iraq. And, in a development that may surprise many, Americans called for the European Union to become a more dominant player in world affairs.

In the United States, many of those polled by the German Marshall Fund survey, 77 percent in fact, wanted their country to become more involved in global politics and shed its isolationist tendencies, a trait the U.S. has been saddled with since 1945. The GMF report that accompanied the survey said that this figure was the "highest level of support since Americans were first asked the question in 1947."

Americans support force

Less surprisingly, however, the survey showed that a majority of U.S. participants would support the use of force to rid countries of weapons of mass destruction. Even less surprisingly, this was not a view shared by those Europeans surveyed by the GMF.

It also appears that the Americans are losing their enthusiasm for being the planet’s last remaining superpower. Last year, 52 percent were in favor of the United States maintaining that role but that figure has now decreased to 47 percent. Perhaps even more interesting is the 2 percent rise in those who want the EU to become a superpower capable of sharing the costs and risks of global problems, now at 37 percent.

The view that the EU should take on a more powerful role is supported by the Europeans themselves who expressed a desire to be a partner of the U.S. rather than an entity that relies on it and is expected to do its bidding.

French, Germans, Italians reject strong US

Those Europeans who support the idea of strong U.S. leadership dropped considerably in the last 12 months with 45 percent, compared to 64 percent in 2002, in favor of a dominant America. Those who see this as desirable are mainly based in Britain, the Netherlands and Poland where backing for such a role is strong. The French, Germans and Italians, however, strongly oppose it. Majorities in Europe also believe the EU -- and not the US -- is most vital to their national interests.

Shifts in Germany are the most “eye-catching,” according to GMF. Germans are now a lot more confident about their role in global politics and demonstrate a strong preference for Europe over the United States as their natural partner.

The percentage of Germans who want their country to play an active role has risen to 82 percent from last year's 65 percent, with 70 percent in favor of the EU becoming a superpower, an increase in 32 percent from 2002. However, that figure would drop to 36 percent if becoming a superpower meant European countries spending more on defense.