Alerts
8 October 2024
Separation Anxiety
How the Dutch see the United States, and the implications for Dutch foreign policy
© Shutterstock | Orhan Cam
On November 5, the United States will elect a new president. The race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remains very tight. This survey looks at Dutch perceptions of US politics in the run-up to the US presidential elections, expectations of US foreign policy, and how the Dutch view the transatlantic security and economic relationship.
Majorities in the Netherlands
- Think an electoral victory by Donald Trump on November 5 would have a negative impact on the US, the West and US-Dutch relations;
- Are worried about the US elections, the state of US democracy and the impact this will have on relations with the Netherlands;
- Think Europe is too dependent on US military support, and think European countries should cooperate more amongst themselves, particularly on defence industrial issues;
- Believe America’s security commitment to Europe is fragile;
- Worry about economic dependencies on the US, but want to work together with Washington to contain Chinese economic power;
- Would support the US in a military conflict with China, either with economic sanctions or military action, or both;
- Expect the US to prevent a military conflict with China over Taiwan, without jeopardizing international trade;
- Do not favour a transatlantic ‘division of labour’ whereby the US focuses on Asia and Europe on its own neighbourhood;
- Think European countries should sustain or increase their aid to Ukraine, if the US were to withdraw its support for Kyiv;
- Seek a more sovereign and capable Europe that is able to operate independently from the United States – both in defense and economic terms – but which can cooperate with the US on the basis of a more equal footing on the major geopolitical challenges both states confront;
