rki.news | Xinhua
LONDON, July 15: Public trust in the United States among Britons has declined significantly, with a growing number expressing doubts about Washington’s role on the global stage, according to a new survey.
The British Foreign Policy Group’s 2026 Annual Survey of UK Public Opinion on Foreign Policy found that only 27 percent of respondents trusted the United States, compared with 53 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, 49 percent said they lacked confidence in the country.
The survey showed that 49 percent of Britons considered Europe the United Kingdom’s top priority for international partnerships, while 20 percent selected the United States. Respondents showed strong support for closer European cooperation in areas including defense, security, migration, and trade.
The report said the shift towards Europe was largely linked to concerns over UK-U.S. relations rather than increased enthusiasm for the European Union.
Support for higher defense spending also declined. While national security remained a major concern, backing for increasing defense spending to 3 percent of GDP fell from 71 percent last year to 60 percent.
The report noted that public support for major foreign policy and security decisions cannot be assumed as Britain faces a changing global environment.