Four key US allies believe the country has become unreliable and problematic under the Trump administration
It’s been almost a year since President Trump returned to the White House for his second term, where he imposed sweeping tariffs, anti-immigration rhetoric, and even a travel ban. As the international community reels from the administration’s agenda, it is also grappling with an “unreliable” ally in the United States.
According to a recent Politico poll, a majority of American adults in Canada (56%), Germany (40%), and France (40%) see the United States as a negative force in the world.
In comparison, other adults in Canada (26%), Germany (29%), and France (34%) view the United States as a positive force.
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Interestingly, another major US ally, the UK, has a more mixed view, with more than a third of respondents (35%) agreeing that the US is a negative power globally, 41% answering that it is a positive power, while 24% answering that they are not sure.
Similarly, 60% of Canadians believe that the United States challenges its allies around the world, while 46% of Germans, 45% of French, and 41% of British adults share the same opinion. By contrast, 25% of Canadian respondents, 29% of German respondents, 33% of French respondents, and 40% of British respondents believe that the United States supports its allies.
Moreover, the four countries also believe that the United States, under the Trump administration, has created more problems for other countries than it has solved. More specifically, 63% of Canadian respondents, 52% of German respondents, 47% of French respondents, and 46% of UK respondents believe that the United States creates more problems for foreign countries.
Canadians’ hostility toward the United States comes as no surprise, as the president has consistently attacked the nation, calling for it to become the 51st state by erasing the 5,525-mile border that separates the two countries.
The bizarre offer angered Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the head of Canada’s most populous province, who issued a tense counter-offer to the US president.
He said: “What if we buy Alaska, and we will buy Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time,” considering Trump’s proposal “unrealistic.”
But the president didn’t just insult Canada; In fact, he also attacked other regions, including Europe, which he described as a “degenerate” collection of states led by “weak” peoples.
“I think they’re weak,” Trump said of European political leaders in a recent interview with Politico magazine. “But I also think they want to be politically correct.”
“I think they don’t know what to do,” he added. “Europe doesn’t know what to do.”
Other members of the administration have also stepped up their rhetoric, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has defended the president’s approach and criticism of Europe.
“I think the essence of these special relationships that we have is the fact that we share a history, common values, and principles of a common civilization for which we should not apologize,” Rubio said during a press conference last week.