What Europe Thinks ...

In Europe, China’s charm offensive is increasing falling on deaf ears, as attitudes harden, in part due to Beijing’s tacit support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

According to polls, Germans want the EU to shield their companies in similar ways the United States and China do. Transatlantic unity, however, offers a better chance for fundamentally rebuilding Germany’s economy.

The European Union is viewed quite positively in the Indo-Pacific. However, economic engagement does not necessarily translate into popularity.

Public opinion on both sides of the Atlantic about transatlantic relations is warmer since Joe Biden won the US presidency. But a return of a Republican to the White House could end this with a bang.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a surge in support for the country’s EU membership. However there already signs that support may be cooling. And doubts persist about whether Ukraine can fulfil the many accession criteria.

Even before Putin launched his war against Ukraine, the European public at large was ahead of their governments in expecting the Russian president to opt for violence. Support for Ukraine is widespread, while the thinking about Russia has fundamentally changed.

A clear majority of Europeans are in favor of an EU that is sovereign and capable of acting. What’s more, most regard national and European sovereignty as going hand in hand.

As it becomes increasingly powerful and assertive, China’s image in Asia has seen a significant decline in recent years.  

During her chancellorship, Angela Merkel played an outsized role in the EU’s various crises. She leaves behind an EU whose citizens have faith in the bloc’s potential but are still concerned about its future direction.

Beijing’s image has deteriorated markedly in 2020, though the picture in Central and Eastern Europe is more mixed. But even there, a sense of disillusionment is setting in.

Opinions polls show that Europeans want their continent to become more of an independent power. In most countries, however, they still look to the Americans to do the fighting.

The Trump presidency has led to an estrangement between the United States and Europe. It is particularly pronounced in Germany, with the younger generation turning away.