Belgians Now View US as Adversary, National Survey Reveals

A landmark national survey has revealed an unprecedented shift in Belgian public opinion: a majority of Belgians now view the United States as an adversary rather than an ally, while more than 80% across all regions and political affiliations call for a fully militarily autonomous Europe. The findings, published by RTBF, mark a dramatic departure from the transatlantic consensus that has defined Belgian foreign policy since the Second World War.

A Historic Reversal

Conducted from March 9 to April 5, 2026, by the University of Antwerp and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) for RTBF, VRT, and De Standaard, the National Survey 2026 polled 5,354 respondents across Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. The results place the United States on par with Russia and China in terms of perceived hostility — a position unthinkable for Belgium’s traditional post-war ally just a few years ago.

“More than one Belgian in two now considers the United States as an adversary, even as a threat. Even more than China!” said Jean-Benoît Pilet, co-author of the survey and political scientist at ULB. Only approximately 10% of respondents still view the US as an ally.

Drivers of Distrust

The survey was conducted against a backdrop of extraordinary geopolitical turbulence. The Trump administration’s aggressive posture toward Europe — including territorial claims on Greenland, sharp criticism of NATO allies, and escalating trade tariffs — has profoundly shaped public perceptions. The US launched attacks on Iran just before the survey began, and Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, sending energy prices soaring.

Adding to the tensions, US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White made controversial statements targeting Belgian judicial authorities and ministers, sparking outrage across the political spectrum. Stefaan Walgrave, political scientist at the University of Antwerp and co-author of the study, noted: “We observe a particularly high level of distrust.”

Overwhelming Support for European Autonomy

The most striking finding is the near-universal demand for European military self-sufficiency. More than 80% of respondents across all three Belgian regions and all party affiliations believe Europe must be fully autonomous militarily. Support for firm economic countermeasures against US tariffs stands at 60-70%, while approximately 90% oppose American interference in Belgian internal affairs — a figure that shows virtually no variation across electorates.

“Belgians essentially go along with the narrative that we are in a conflict situation with the United States and we must strike back,” Walgrave told RTBF. “We must not let ourselves be pushed around.”

The NATO Paradox

Despite viewing the US as an adversary, about 80% of Belgians believe the country should remain a member of NATO. This apparent contradiction suggests citizens distinguish between the current US administration and the alliance itself. “The Cold War conception of a Western bloc linking the European Union to the United States and Canada within NATO is clearly evolving,” Pilet explained. “But that doesn’t mean we’re in isolationism. Belgians still want to remain in NATO.”

Nearly four out of five Belgians consider a war started by the US against a non-NATO country as probable or very probable — a perception shaped by the ongoing US-Iran conflict. However, an attack directly against Belgium is considered unlikely by 80% or more of respondents.

Regional and Political Divides

The survey reveals significant regional differences. Russia remains the top adversary for 80% of Flemish respondents, compared to 66% in Wallonia and 63% in Brussels. China is viewed more ambiguously, with 40-44% seeing it as an adversary but nearly half choosing “neither ally nor adversary.”

Political orientation strongly correlates with US perceptions. Far-left PTB-PVDA voters are most hostile to Washington, while liberal-conservative MR and far-right Vlaams Belang voters are least hostile. Pilet noted that for the third consecutive survey, PVDA voters distinguish themselves from others in their international attitudes.

Francophone Pessimism

A separate analysis of the survey data, also reported by RTBF, reveals deep pessimism among French-speaking Belgians. A majority of Walloons and Brussels residents believe the past was better and the future will be worse. Nostalgia is strongly correlated with lower socioeconomic status and is most pronounced among voters of opposition parties including the PTB, PS, and Vlaams Belang.

Cyclical or Permanent?

Whether this shift represents a permanent realignment or a temporary reaction to the Trump presidency remains an open question. Pilet cautioned: “I think there is a cyclical effect related to the current presidency. I hypothesize that this is not a definitive turning point, provided that US foreign policy changes after Trump.”

What to Watch

The survey provides a strong public mandate for EU defense autonomy initiatives and may influence Belgian government positions on EU-US relations and defense spending. As other European countries conduct their own national surveys, the question is whether Belgium’s dramatic shift reflects a broader continental trend. For now, the data suggests that in the minds of Belgian citizens, the transatlantic relationship has entered uncharted territory.