Europe Dumps US: 8 EU Nations Now Prefer China as Allies
A new survey reveals a dramatic shift in European alliances, with eight European Union nations now favoring closer ties with China over the United States, exposing deep fractures across the continent.
A June survey of all 24 European Union countries conducted by Public First found deep divisions on whether to seek closer ties with the United States or China. The results show eight nations leaning toward China, nine favoring the US, and seven remaining split [194791]. This shift is not purely about economics or geopolitics; it reflects a battle for reputation, as China has worked to present itself as a more stable and reliable long-term partner even as global uncertainty grows [194791].
The cooling relationship between Washington and its traditional European allies was starkly illustrated last month, when only three of the European Union’s 27 commissioners attended the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States in Brussels. None of the EU’s top leaders showed up, and authorities reportedly kept their distance, offering a clear sign that relations are fraying [190783].
Meanwhile, Sweden’s former Moderate Party leader Gunnar Hökmark has warned that as the United States turns away from free trade, Europe must avoid falling into China’s orbit. He argues Sweden should push for closer cooperation between the European Union and democracies around the Pacific, stating the issue is not only about exports and tariffs but about who sets the rules for the global economy [194686].