A recent poll reveals that nearly half of UK voters believe Britain should prioritize its relationship with the European Union over the United States, signaling a shift in public sentiment amid rising concerns about Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by pro-EU campaign group Best For Britain, found that 44% of respondents think Britain’s economic future lies with its European neighbors, compared to just 19% who believe the government should focus on ties with the US. The poll, conducted between November 25 and 27, surveyed over 4,300 people.
The findings come as Trump, who is set to begin his second term, has hinted at plans to increase trade tariffs on goods entering the US. His administration has already floated tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico, and China, raising concerns about potential ripple effects on global trade.
Adding to the picture, the poll revealed that trust in the EU significantly outpaces trust in the US among Britons. Nearly half (49%) of respondents expressed trust in the EU, compared to 30% for the US, with 40% indicating they actively distrust the US.
The polling suggests a blow to the UK government’s “global Britain” strategy, which aimed to expand trade ties with rapidly growing economies such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil. These nations garnered minimal trust among respondents, with all scoring 12% or lower.
Interestingly, voters who had switched from the Conservatives to Labour during the summer expressed strong support for closer ties with Europe.
Among the 160 voters in this group, many appeared open to prioritizing trade with the EU, suggesting that the government could pursue such a strategy without alienating its electoral coalition.
Keir Starmer, however, dismissed the notion that the UK must choose between the US and the EU. Speaking recently, the prime minister called the idea “plain wrong” and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with both.
The Labour-led government has taken steps to rebuild relations with European nations, with Starmer meeting key EU leaders over the past five months.
At the same time, the prime minister has reached out to the Trump administration, including a September meeting in New York and a congratulatory phone call after Trump’s re-election.
The long-term impact of these efforts will be tested in 2026 during the scheduled review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which governs the UK-EU relationship post-Brexit.
Labour MP Andrew Lewin, chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission, underscored the importance of these ties. “It’s vital for the UK to strengthen our ties with our biggest and closest trading partner,” Lewin said, referring to the EU.
“It’s clear from this latest polling that public opinion has moved on from the binary Leave-Remain divide. Attitudes are shifting, and people and businesses recognize that we need to rebuild relations with the EU to help our economy succeed.”
Andrew Lewin
The Commission, which includes MPs and business leaders, plans to reconvene under Lewin’s leadership to offer recommendations for strengthening the EU-UK relationship.
Concerns Over Trump’s Economic Policies
Trump’s proposed trade policies are also stirring economic fears in the UK. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride addressed these concerns at a Westminster press event, calling the former president an “external threat to the UK economy.”
Stride warned that Trump’s tariffs and plans for deficit-financed tax cuts could raise inflation and interest rates in Britain. “We have a new president about to go into the White House who is talking about tariffs … which may have knock-on consequences for the bond market and import higher interest rates into our shores,” he said.
He emphasized the need for economic stability as Britain navigates this uncertain landscape. “All of that adds up to a real need to have an economy that has stable foundations, which is what the government talks about and is not doing.”
As the UK balances its post-Brexit future, the public’s growing preference for closer ties with Europe may shape the direction of trade policy, even as concerns about Trump’s economic agenda loom large.
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