Trump's rhetoric reshapes American views on allies, Russia
Under the influence of Donald Trump's rhetoric, Americans, especially Republicans, are losing sympathy for the allies of the United States. As a result, according to the survey, the confidence of U.S. citizens in Russians is increasing.
What you need to know
- Change in perception of allies: Influenced by Donald Trump's rhetoric, Americans, particularly Republican supporters, are beginning to perceive traditional U.S. allies such as the European Union and Canada as less friendly.
- Increasing trust in Russia: Among Republicans, the number of people perceiving Russia as an enemy is decreasing, which is a reverse trend compared to previous years.
- Changes in Europe: The perception of America in Europe is also changing, with declining sympathy in Western European countries, particularly in Denmark.
American sympathies are drastically changing
According to the weekly "The Economist," based on a survey by the YouGov center, Donald Trump's rhetoric influences American perceptions of U.S. allies. "The Economist" notes that it is no surprise that since Trump took office in the U.S., Republican opinions have changed drastically. Before the U.S. presidential elections, only 12% of Republicans considered Canada an "unfriendly" or "enemy" country; now this percentage has increased to 27%.
Changes in the perception of Russia are equally significant. After the invasion of Ukraine, about 85% of Republicans considered Russia "unfriendly" or "enemy"; currently, it is 72% of respondents. "In just a few months Donald Trump has brought discord where there was once friendship," concludes "The Economist."
The perception of the USA is changing
The perception of America in Europe is also changing. In August 2024, half of the respondents in seven Western European countries had a positive view of the United States.
Now this percentage is decreasing, particularly in Denmark, where it dropped from 48% to 20%. The weekly reminds that it is undoubtedly due to repeated threats from Trump regarding the takeover of Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark.
