Survey suggests Europeans want to become independent from the US

A new survey of Americans and Europeans
shows that a deterioration in EU/US relationship, starting
with the war in Iraq, has hardened. This confirms a
perception that a fundamental change in transatlantic
relations may be underway.

A new survey reveals that Europeans are very sceptical
of a strong US leadership role in the world and are
increasingly seeking to become more independent from the
US. Fifty eight percent of Europeans want a more
independent approach for Europe on international security
and diplomatic affairs, a nine percent increase on last
year. Meanwhile, 60 percent of Americans believe the
partnership with the EU should become closer and support
a strong European partner to help manage global
challenges. 

European public opposition to President Bush’s foreign
policy is strong and has risen steadily, the third annual
Transatlantic Trends poll suggests. Seventy-six percent
of Europeans express disapproval at current US foreign
policy, an increase of 20 percent over the past two
years. European opinion is aligned far more closely with
American democrats than with Republicans. Democrats
support EU leadership in world affairs, and like
Europeans, are more likely than Republicans to view NATO
or UN legitimacy as necessary before military force is
employed in conflict situation. 

According to the Transatlantic Trends 2004 survey, for
71 percent of Europeans, Europe should become a
superpower but half the respondents are unwilling to
spend more on defence in order to realize that
ambition. 

“If this trend continues, we may be looking at a
redefinition of the fundamentals of the transatlantic
relationship from a first choice partnership to an
optional alliance when mutually convenient,” said Craig
Kenny, President of the German Marshall Fund. 

Transatlantic Trends 2004, a survey of 11.000
Americans and Europeans by the German Marshall Fund of
the United States and the Compania di San Paolo, two
non-profit policy centres focusing on US-European
relations, was conducted in June 2004. 

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