Some 80% of Dutch people no longer consider U.S. a reliable partner

The vast majority of Dutch people believe that Europe can no longer count on the United States for its security. Under president Donald Trump, Europe is no longer assured of unconditional American support, according to over eight in ten respondents in a poll by the Netherlands Atlantic Association. According to respondents, the U.S. is harming security, trade, the climate, and democracy.

More Dutch people also say that the U.S. is making Europe and the world less safe. Nine months ago, in the previous poll by the Netherlands Atlantic Association, a discussion platform on the relationship between Europe and the U.S., that figure was just under two-thirds. Now, it’s over three-quarters, 77 percent.

In April, over a third of the Dutch believed that the great post-war patron brought security to the world. Less than a quarter of that number now remains. According to respondents, the U.S. under Trump is a greater threat than Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the war in Ukraine, or China.

More than half of Dutch respondents rate the relationship between the US and Europe as bad to very bad. 81 percent call Trump unreliable, 80 percent call him disruptive, and 71 percent say he’s polarizing. About half expect the US to withdraw from NATO. And this poll was conducted before Trump announced even more tariffs against the Netherlands and other European countries for sending scouting soldiers to Greenland.

Since Trump took office almost exactly a year ago, the U.S. and Europe have been in constant conflict. The old allies teetered on the brink of a trade war and accused each other of eroding their democratic principles. The American-European military alliance, NATO, is seemingly on the verge of collapse, with critics saying that NATO no longer inspires awe when no one believes the U.S. will come to the rescue if Russia attacks, for example.

Meanwhile, European self-confidence is also declining. Last year, 45 percent of respondents believed Europe could effectively resist Russia, but that figure has fallen by 12 percent. Fewer Dutch people also believe that Europe has gained global influence due to the war in Ukraine.

This doesn’t mean they are resolutely preparing for the worst. Only 13 percent believe they are well prepared. However, a large majority of 86 percent want the Netherlands to achieve the higher defense budget agreed upon within NATO, and 52 percent think the government should make cuts to achieve this. Over a quarter opt for higher taxes, and 29 percent for more borrowing.