Are Europeans satisfied with the European Union’s global role?

By&nbspNoa Schumann&nbsp&&nbspvideo by Léa Becquet

Published on 25/03/2026 - 17:26 GMT+1

While the EU is inactive wide regarded arsenic a cardinal planetary player, caller information suggests assurance successful its power is opening to waver amid increasing geopolitical instability.

A survey by Euroconsumers, drafting connected responses from astir 10,000 radical crossed 10 countries — Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain — sheds airy connected however Europeans comprehend the bloc’s planetary standing.

A recognised powerfulness — but with wide limits

A bulk of Europeans proceed to presumption the EU arsenic a large unit connected the satellite stage. Around 63% see it a starring economical power, and 60% spot it arsenic an influential governmental actor.

However, perceptions displacement importantly erstwhile it comes to subject strength. Only 36% respect the EU arsenic a credible hard power, highlighting a spread betwixt its economical value and defence capabilities.

Views are besides mixed erstwhile it comes to circumstantial crises. In Ukraine, 42% of respondents accidental the EU has demonstrated beardown leadership. By contrast, 41% judge it has failed to bash truthful successful Gaza.

Internal divisions are seen arsenic a cardinal obstacle: astir two-thirds of those surveyed accidental disagreements betwixt subordinate states are undermining the EU’s planetary influence.

A cooling transatlantic relationship

The survey points to a weakening of spot successful the United States arsenic a semipermanent partner. Just 28% of respondents judge Washington volition stay reliable successful the years ahead.

Doubts are peculiarly pronounced successful countries specified arsenic Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium and Spain, wherever important shares of respondents question the durability of the transatlantic alliance.

In this context, astir fractional of respondents accidental the EU should prioritise gathering caller partnerships beyond the United States. Meanwhile, 51% enactment deepening commercialized relations with Asian economies specified arsenic Japan and South Korea, portion 37% favour person economical ties with China.

Trade tensions look to beryllium a cardinal factor, with 70% backing EU countermeasures successful effect to US tariffs.

At the aforesaid time, opinions are divided connected however Brussels has handled Donald Trump’s policies. Some 38% of respondents disapprove of the EU’s response, compared to 34% who enactment it.

Consumer behaviour is besides shifting. Around 44% accidental they person reduced oregon stopped buying American products — a fig that rises to 55% successful Denmark.

Calls for greater autonomy

Support for a much self-reliant European Union is strong. Around 80% of respondents backmost accrued concern successful European exertion to trim dependence connected outer powers.

There is likewise wide backing for strengthening defence capabilities and diversifying commercialized partnerships.

Yet expectations stay measured. While galore Europeans favour a much assertive EU connected the planetary stage, concerns astir the economical interaction persist — peculiarly arsenic households proceed to grapple with rising surviving costs.