CGTN Poll: Respondents say 'America First' policy strains U.S.-Europe relations

Determined to acquire Greenland, awaiting a minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, and continuing to impose tariffs on other countries, U.S. President Donald Trump confidently presented his "achievements" in governance during a joint session of Congress.

However, global respondents are not convinced. A survey conducted by CGTN among 15,257 respondents across 38 countries revealed that the "America First" policy is severely impacting U.S.-Europe relations, while trust in the U.S. among respondents from its traditional allies is rapidly declining.

'America First' worsens the trust deficit.

Since the new administration took office, the "America First" policy has indiscriminately affected European countries. The U.S. approach of prioritizing its own interests while disregarding the legitimate rights of other nations, as demonstrated in the Ukraine and Greenland island issues, has severely disrupted the international order and weakened the trust of European countries and allies in the United States.

According to the survey, 62.9 percent of global respondents condemned the "America First" policy, criticizing its disregard for the legitimate interests of other nations.

Among European respondents, this figure rose to 67.7 percent. In addition, 53.8 percent of European respondents believed that U.S. trade barriers have caused serious negative impacts on the global economy. A total of 78.8 percent criticized the U.S. for using international economic and financial organizations to exert economic pressure on other countries, and 60.9 percent condemned the U.S. for instigating geopolitical conflicts worldwide. Furthermore, 70.4 percent believed that "American hegemony" seeks to undermine the current international order.

Additionally, 55.1 percent of global respondents believed that the U.S. has failed to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations as a major power in global governance; 63.9 percent criticized the U.S. for often applying "double standards" to safeguard its own interests in international affairs; 54.8 percent of European respondents stated that the "America First" policy has severely undermined international cooperation and called on countries to reassess their relations with the United States.

'Interest-based diplomacy' deepens rifts with allies

After taking office, the new U.S. administration immediately adopted an "interest-based diplomacy" approach, rapidly eroding the alliance between the U.S. and its allies, which was built on shared values and security interests. This includes imposing tariffs on allies, demanding higher military spending from Europe, and seeking political and economic benefits through a mineral deal with Ukraine. 

The survey found that anxiety looms over the future of U.S. foreign relations under the new administration. Among the six non-U.S. G7 countries, 57 percent of respondents felt pessimistic about their nation's bilateral ties with the U.S..

Germany and Canada showed the highest levels of concern, with 66 percent expressing pessimism, followed by Japan (60 percent), the UK (59.3 percent), and France (57.5 percent).

In evaluating the "America First" foreign policy, 63.9 percent of respondents from G7 countries believed it would lead the U.S. to neglect its traditional allies. The highest agreement was found among respondents from the UK (71.4 percent), Canada (71 percent), and Japan (69 percent). France (59 percent) and Germany (58.5 percent) also had nearly 60 percent of respondents in agreement.

The data above comes from two global surveys published by CGTN: "the 2024 Global Impressions of the U.S. Poll" and "the Global Satisfaction Poll on Trump's First Month in Office."

The surveys were conducted by CGTN in collaboration with Renmin University of China through the Institute of International Communication in the New Era, targeting respondents worldwide. The respondents included individuals from developed countries such as the U.S., UK, Australia, Germany, and France, as well as from developing countries like South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Nigeria, the UAE, and Vietnam.

(Cover: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, from left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 28, 2025. /VCG)