2001-08-14-皮尤-Bush_Unpopular_in_Europe,_Seen_As_Unilateralist_15页_63kb

Summary

• George W. Bush is highly unpopular in major Western European nations (France, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy) due to perceptions of him as a unilateralist focused solely on U.S. interests in international policy.
• Approval ratings for Bush's handling of foreign policy are low, ranging from 16% in Italy to 45% in the U.S., with majorities in Europe expressing disapproval.
• Specific policies draw stark divisions:
  • European majorities disapprove of Bush's rejection of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Bush's missile defense stance, especially the potential withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, receives widespread opposition, with strong rejection in Germany, France, and Italy.
  • However, Europeans broadly support Bush's commitment to free trade and his decision to maintain U.S. troops in Bosnia and Kosovo.
• Europeans express little confidence in Bush's ability to handle world affairs, with only 33% of Italians and 30% of British showing fair confidence, compared to higher trust in their own national leaders. Levels of confidence in Bush are only slightly higher than in Russian President Putin.
• Despite deep policy differences, Europeans do not see U.S. and European interests as fundamentally diverging. Most reject the idea of a growing rift, with groups noting shared interests and potential for cooperation on issues like global climate change and security.
• The poll highlights the possibility of trans-Atlantic relations deteriorating if the U.S. continues unilateral policies, but it also suggests room for repair through mutual understanding and accommodation.