A seismic new opinion poll has exposed a deep crisis of confidence at the heart of the European Union, revealing that a majority of citizens in its most powerful member states believe the bloc sold out their interests to secure a tariff deal with Donald Trump's America.
A Continent of Doubt
The survey, conducted across Germany, France, and Italy, paints a picture of a profoundly disillusioned electorate. It suggests that the diplomatic strategy employed by EU negotiators in high-stakes talks with the former US President has been perceived by their own citizens not as a victory, but as a capitulation.
This widespread belief that European leaders folded under pressure strikes at the very legitimacy of the EU's policymaking apparatus and its ability to defend the continent's economic interests on the global stage.
The Numbers Behind the Distrust
The data leaves little room for interpretation. A clear majority of respondents in these cornerstone nations are convinced that their representatives in Brussels conceded too much, likely in a bid to avoid a devastating full-scale trade war with the United States.
This public sentiment underscores a growing chasm between EU institutions and the people they represent, suggesting a failure to communicate the complexities and perceived benefits of the agreement to a sceptical populace.
The Shadow of a Second Trump Term
The poll's findings gain even greater significance against the backdrop of a potential second Trump administration. The threat of punitive tariffs was a central tenet of his first term, and the prospect of its return has long been a source of anxiety for European capitals.
This perception of a weak negotiation undermines the EU's position and could embolden future US demands, setting a concerning precedent for transatlantic trade relations for years to come.
Ultimately, this is more than a story about tariffs and trade deficits; it is a story about trust and sovereignty, and the poll indicates that, in the eyes of many Europeans, their leadership has failed on both counts.
