Germans used to view the United States as a stable and strong ally, but now most believe it’s a danger to global peace, a new survey has revealed.
Almost two-thirds of Germans (65 percent) believe the United States poses the greatest threat to world peace in the coming years, according to a representative survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute.
The figures mark a sharp increase since since Donald Trump returned to office. Last year, 46 percent saw the US as a threat to peace, while in 2024, just under a quarter of the German population (24 percent) took that stance.
Confidence in US security guarantees for Europe also appears limited among Germans. Only 32 percent of respondents to the survey believe Washington would provide military support if a European NATO member were attacked, while 35 percent doubt this. Around 33 percent remain undecided on this issue.
READ ALSO: ‘Insanely frustrated’ – Americans in Germany react to Trump’s threats against Europe
Russia still viewed as largest threat
Despite the shift in opinions on the US, Russia continues to be viewed as the largest threat by Germans. Asked which countries pose the greatest danger, around 81 percent of those surveyed said Russia (compared with 65 percent who said the US), a view that has remained high since the full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
China was named by 46 percent of German respondents as a risk to global stability.
Concerns about Germany becoming directly involved in a war remain moderate. Three percent consider this very likely, while 28 percent say it is rather likely. Around 40 percent consider this kind of scenario rather unlikely.
Should war break out in Germany in future, around 14 percent of respondents said they would consider leaving Germany. Nearly half (49 percent) said fleeing the country would not be an option.
READ ALSO: How Germany is stepping up preparations for war
Meanwhile, Germans are slightly less concerned about terrorism at the moment. Around 33 percent of respondents said they currently feel threatened by terrorist attacks, down from 42 percent a year earlier.
The survey of 1,077 people aged 16 and over was carried out between January 6th and 19th as part of the annual Security Report 2026.
The survey comes ahead of the annual Munich Security Conference taking place in the Bavarian capital from February 13th-15th.
Trump’s behaviour, including threats to take control of Greenland, as well as Russian aggression are set to be big talking points.
READ ALSO: ‘I will never move back’ – How do Americans in Germany feel about Trump’s election win?
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
