Before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center and Körber-Stiftung revealed that Americans and Germans generally held positive views about the bilateral relationship between their countries. Despite shared optimism, there were notable differences in how each side viewed their cooperation on global issues, foreign policy, and security concerns.
Positive Views on Bilateral Relations
A majority of Germans (74%) viewed U.S.-German relations positively, continuing a trend that began after President Joe Biden’s election in 2021. However, regional and political differences were apparent. In East Germany, 35% of respondents described U.S.-German relations as bad, compared to just 19% in West Germany. Additionally, far-right party supporters (AfD) were more likely to view the relationship negatively, with 44% describing it as bad.
On the other hand, Americans were more optimistic, with 84% expressing a positive view of the relationship. This marked a steady increase in favorable opinions since 2017, reflecting the broader perception of improved bilateral relations under President Biden.
Key Findings on Foreign Policy Partnerships
In terms of foreign policy alliances, the U.S. continues to prioritize the United Kingdom as its most important partner, with 20% of Americans selecting the UK in open-ended surveys. A significant portion of Republicans (21%) also named Israel as the top foreign policy partner, while only 4% of Americans selected Germany. Interestingly, Germans view the U.S. as their most important foreign policy partner, with 47% of respondents choosing it over other nations.
Partnerships on Shared Global Goals
The surveys also explored the view of Americans and Germans regarding their cooperation on shared global challenges. Both nations agreed on many fronts, including trade. However, environmental issues presented a stark divide. Germans were less likely to see the U.S. as a partner in environmental protection, with just 26% viewing the U.S. as a partner in this domain.
Both Americans and Germans agreed that the U.S. was a key partner in addressing the war in Ukraine, with 70% of Germans acknowledging the partnership, while a smaller portion of Americans, particularly Republicans, expressed similar views.
Diverging Threat Perceptions
One of the most significant differences in views was the perception of military threats. Americans were far more likely than Germans to see countries like China, Russia, and Iran as major threats. For instance, 64% of Americans viewed China as a major military threat, while only 10% of Germans agreed. Similarly, 59% of Americans saw Russia as a threat, compared to 39% of Germans.
In terms of the global economic threat posed by China, both Americans (66%) and Germans (56%) expressed significant concern, but Germans’ concerns had increased since 2023. Despite these concerns, both countries largely agreed that China’s growing influence was more negative than positive.
The Russia-Ukraine War
There was also a noticeable divide in how Americans and Germans viewed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In Germany, 47% of respondents supported Ukraine continuing to fight until it had regained all territories lost to Russia, while 43% believed Ukraine should cede territory to end the war. In the U.S., 44% supported continued fighting, with a smaller portion (14%) advocating for Ukraine to concede land to Russia.
European Union’s Influence
Lastly, the influence of the European Union was another point of divergence. While a majority of Americans (49%) believed the EU’s influence had remained the same in recent years, Germans were more pessimistic. Only 12% of Germans saw the EU’s influence as growing, with 44% believing it had weakened. This pessimism about the EU’s global role was also evident in party affiliations, with Republicans more likely to say the EU was weakening, while Democrats were more optimistic about its influence.
Some Key Facts
| Topic | Key Facts |
| U.S.-Germany Relations | 74% of Germans view U.S.-Germany relations positively. 84% of Americans view relations positively. Germans from East Germany more likely to view relations negatively. |
| Foreign Policy Partners | U.S. sees the U.K. (20%) as its most important partner, followed by Israel (10%). Germany sees the U.S. as its most important partner (47%). |
| Partnerships on Shared Goals | Both Americans and Germans agree on free trade (approx. 66% in both countries). Germans view U.S. as a partner on global security but less so on environmental issues (26%). |
| Perceptions of Global Threats | Americans view China, Russia, and Iran as major military threats more than Germans (China: 64% U.S., 10% Germany; Russia: 59% U.S., 39% Germany). |
| Views on China | 56% of Germans view China as a major economic threat (up from 49% in 2023). Two-thirds of Americans also view China as an economic threat. |
| Russia-Ukraine War | 47% of Germans support Ukraine continuing to fight, 43% believe it should cede territory. In the U.S., 44% support continuing the fight. |
| European Union’s Influence | 49% of Americans say the EU’s influence has stayed the same. 44% of Germans say the EU’s influence has decreased. |
Conclusion
Overall, while both Americans and Germans share a generally positive outlook on their bilateral relationship, key differences remain, especially regarding global security issues, perceptions of China, and environmental cooperation. These differences reflect broader political and regional divides within both countries, as well as evolving concerns about global threats. How these perspectives evolve following the U.S. presidential election will be crucial in shaping future diplomatic ties between the two nations.
