Most Europeans favour neutrality over picking a side

A recent survey — published by the French magazine Le Grand Continent under the name “Eurobazooka” — shows a clear trend: a majority of Europeans don’t want to choose sides between United States and China. According to the poll, about 55 per cent of respondents would rather maintain “the same distance between the two superpowers.” Only 4 per cent said they would prioritise alignment with China. Meanwhile, roughly one-fifth — about 20–25 per cent depending on country — indicated a preference for aligning with the US.

The survey covers nine EU member countries, and interestingly the highest share favouring the US (around 25%) came from Spain — even though Spain’s government has in recent years been relatively open to stronger ties with Beijing.

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Context: Changing trans-Atlantic ties and Europe’s China dilemma

The poll’s findings come at a tense moment in trans-Atlantic and Europe–China relations. Since the return of Donald Trump as US president in early 2025, ties between Europe and Washington have come under pressure. From punitive tariffs on EU trade to diplomatic friction, many European governments and publics are rethinking how closely they want to lean into the US alliance.

At the same time, Europe’s relationship with China is far from smooth. Despite strong economic interdependence, Beijing’s siding with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — along with various trade tensions — have cooled relations between China and many EU states.

Yet public sentiment across Europe appears to reject a binary choice. The poll suggests widespread preference for balanced diplomacy — neither drawing too close to Washington nor pivoting full tilt toward Beijing.

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What the poll reveals — and what it suggests for policy

• Public preference for strategic autonomy. The fact that over half of Europeans want to remain equidistant from US and China indicates a desire for more independent foreign-policy stances, rather than automatic alignment with a global superpower.
• Limited appetite for pro-China tilt. Only 4% favour alignment with China — reflecting enduring scepticism toward Beijing’s actions, especially on issues like Ukraine and trade disputes.
• A modest pro-US leaning, but not overwhelming. Even in countries with higher US affinity (e.g. Spain), fewer than a quarter of respondents said they would align with Washington — signalling cautiousness about subordination to US strategic priorities.
• Implications for EU foreign policy. With public opinion leaning toward neutrality or strategic autonomy, EU decision-makers may find greater public support for independent diplomacy: balancing cooperation, safeguarding economic interests, and avoiding entanglement in high-stakes US–China rivalry.

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Looking ahead: Europe’s balancing act

The survey reflects broader shifts in global geopolitics. As US–China competition intensifies — economically, technologically, and geopolitically — many in Europe seem unwilling to treat those tensions as choices where they must fully commit to one side.

For European policymakers, this could mean pushing for a nuanced strategy: engaging with both superpowers where interests align, hedging where risks are high, and preserving European autonomy — economically, diplomatically, and strategically.