A recent survey conducted by ARD DeutschlandTrend has revealed a significant lack of trust among Germans towards the United States and President Donald Trump. Only 12 percent of participants rated his performance positively, marking a stark decline in confidence. Furthermore, a mere 15 percent of respondents view the U.S. as a trustworthy partner, the lowest rating recorded in the history of this survey. In comparison, Russia appears even less trusted, with only 9 percent of Germans expressing confidence in it.
Response to U.S. actions and intervention in Venezuela
The findings are closely related to Trump’s recent military intervention in Venezuela, which culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The survey indicates that a substantial 72 percent of respondents deem this action as unjustified. However, opinions differ on how German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European leaders should react to these developments.
Participants were presented with two distinct options: to adopt a “rather restrained” approach to avoid provoking Trump or to “speak out clearly against U.S. actions, even if it might upset the president.” Interestingly, 39 percent favored caution, highlighting the complexities of the situation, while half of those surveyed advocated for a more assertive stance, even at the potential cost of straining relations with Washington.
Broader implications for Germany-U.S. relations
The tension between Germany and the U.S. extends beyond the Venezuelan crisis. Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, his threats of tariffs on European exports, and his ambiguous support for Ukraine have further exacerbated anxieties in Germany. These actions contribute to the perception that U.S. foreign policy is increasingly influenced by the whims of the president rather than a commitment to longstanding alliances.
This sentiment was amplified when Trump recently expressed on Truth Social his doubts about NATO’s commitment to assist the U.S. should it find itself in need. This statement, particularly coming from a leader who has frequently characterized alliances as transactional, challenges a fundamental principle of German postwar foreign policy.
The fact that these developments are happening under Chancellor Merz, a self-identified transatlanticist and former president of Atlantik-Brücke—a network that promotes political, business, and cultural relations between Germany and the U.S.—underscores the significant strain in transatlantic relations.