DID Press: A new public opinion survey in Germany suggests confidence in United States as a security partner has declined sharply, with a majority of respondents no longer viewing Washington as a reliable ally and only about half expecting the US to honor its military commitments in the event of a conflict.
According to a Forsa survey, public trust in the United States has weakened significantly despite decades of close security and political cooperation between Berlin and Washington. The findings indicate that most Germans no longer regard the US as a dependable strategic partner.
The survey also found that only around half of respondents believe the United States would fulfill its defense commitments to European allies if a military conflict were to arise.
Commenting on the findings, Wolfgang Zink, Senior Public Sector Partner at PwC Germany, said: “The majority of Germans want greater independence from the United States and, instead, a stronger and more united Europe.”
The results point to growing public support in Germany for reducing dependence on US foreign and security policy while strengthening Europe’s own defense and strategic capabilities.
The PwC report also noted that Germans have high expectations of their government on both domestic and international issues. It added that reported public dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government reflects mounting political pressure on Berlin.