Newsweek: 8 NATO countries prefer China over the US
A report published by Newsweek magazine, based on a Gallup poll, revealed a significant decline in the image of the United States within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries during 2025, in contrast to an unprecedented improvement in the level of public satisfaction with China.
This coincides with a deterioration in US-China relations, exacerbated by the trade war, growing Chinese investments across southern and central Europe, and European doubts about US President Donald Trump’s commitment to the alliance.
Data showed China outpacing the United States by at least 10 percentage points in eight NATO countries
Newsweek also pointed out that the world is living in a period of global tensions in light of the US escalation that included military operations in Venezuela and the possibility of strikes on Iran, in addition to Trump’s statements about seeking control of the Arctic island of Greenland belonging to Denmark.
Observers believe that these events are likely to lead to further erosion of NATO’s unity, with the possibility of a deterioration of European public opinion towards Washington in the coming period.
The poll was conducted in 31 NATO member states between March 27 and October 30, 2025, and its results showed that the average satisfaction with China’s leadership rose by 8 percent to 22 percent, the largest annual increase recorded by Beijing within the alliance.
In contrast, according to Newsweek, satisfaction with US leadership fell to 21%, 14% lower than a year earlier.
The report confirmed that Washington’s popularity has declined by 10% or more in 18 NATO countries, noting that this decline has been accompanied by significant gains for China in only three countries: Spain, Italy and Belgium.
Although the average level of satisfaction with the leadership of the two countries is close, the data showed China outperformed the United States by at least 10 percentage points in eight NATO member states: Slovenia, Luxembourg, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Montenegro, Iceland and Greece.
The United States is ahead of China in only three countries: Poland, Albania and Romania, while the other 20 countries have recorded similar levels of satisfaction between the two parties.
In the conclusion of its report, Newsweek noted that the decisions that US President Donald Trump may make during the next phase will have a major and decisive impact on shaping public opinion trends within NATO countries.
