Despite consistently low overall approval ratings, former US President Donald Trump maintains a surprising level of support in certain European countries, particularly Italy and within Central and Eastern Europe. A recent YouGov poll reveals that 28% of Italians view Trump favorably, exceeding support in traditional US allies like the United Kingdom. This phenomenon appears linked to existing political alignments and perceptions of the United States’ role on the global stage.
Italy’s relatively positive response to Trump contrasts sharply with overall European sentiment. The poll indicates that while the UK shows 22% approval – a four-point increase since October – France and Spain lag behind at 18% and 16% respectively. Denmark registered the lowest approval rate at just 6%, a figure potentially influenced by Trump’s past expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland.
The Political Landscape of Trump Support in Europe
A separate poll, conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations, reinforces the trend of differing views. This poll placed Denmark consistently at the bottom with only 5% approval for Trump. Meanwhile, Romania (30%), Hungary (29%), and Poland (25%) emerged as the most supportive nations in Central and Eastern Europe concerning Trump.
Interestingly, these same countries – Romania, Hungary, and Poland – also expressed the highest belief that a Trump presidency would benefit world peace, according to the ECFR survey. These coinciding views suggest a correlation between geopolitical outlook and support for the former US President.
Far-Right Parties and Trump Alignment
The strongest endorsement for Trump appears to come from far-right political parties across Europe. Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party demonstrates the most significant alignment, with 68% of its members believing Trump’s presidency is positive not just for the US, but for their own nation.
Romania’s Alliance for the Union of Romanians and Poland’s Law and Justice follow with 51% approval each. All three parties are labeled as eurosceptic or mildly eurosceptic, suggesting a common ground in questioning the European Union’s authority. Poland’s Confederation party also shows notable support at 39%, as does Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, with 31% approval.
These higher approval rates reflect a broader pattern of populist and nationalist parties often expressing affinity for Trump’s “America First” agenda and his critique of established international institutions. Analysis suggests that Trump’s election and rhetoric resonated with these groups who share similar sentiments regarding sovereignty and national interests.
A recent poll by Le Grand Continent provides further nuance, categorizing European attitudes toward Trump as either “enemy” (predominantly France and Spain) or neither friend nor enemy (Italy and Germany). Poland again stands out, with 33% of respondents viewing Trump as a friend – the highest percentage in this survey.
However, the polls consistently reveal a widespread sense of dissatisfaction with the European Union’s handling of relations with the United States. A majority (52%) of respondents in the Le Grand Continent poll stated they felt “humiliated” following the implementation of a 15% tariff agreement on EU exports last summer, highlighting a key point of friction in transatlantic relations. The issue of trade has been a consistent source of contention between the US and Europe.
As the US presidential election draws closer, monitoring these European attitudes toward Donald Trump will be critical. The potential for a return to Trump’s policies could significantly reshape the transatlantic relationship and require European nations to reassess their strategies for engaging with Washington. Continued polling and analysis will be crucial to understanding how these perceptions evolve and their potential impact on international diplomacy and trade.