A large majority of Germans believe the policies of US President Donald Trump pose a threat to the future of the NATO military alliance, according to an opinion poll released on Friday, reported dpa.
Some 78% of respondents said Trump was endangering the Western defence alliance, while 18% disagreed, the latest ZDF Politbarometer survey showed. The remaining respondents said they were undecided.
Trump is pushing for the United States to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark, and has not ruled out military force to achieve that goal.
Opinion has also been shaped by US military action in Venezuela on January 3, when sites in Caracas were bombed and special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country.
Trump cited the need to secure control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as a key justification for the operation.
A clear majority of Germans believe the European Union should oppose actions by Trump which involve military intervention in other countries in violation of international law to secure economic resources.
The poll found 69% want the EU to take a stand against this kind of aggression, while 22% believe Brussels should stay out of the matter. Just 5% said the EU should back US actions.
Opinion is divided over a possible US intervention in Iran amid a wave of protests against the country's authoritarian leadership.
Some 37% of respondents said they would welcome US military action, while an equal share opposed such a move. Another 13% said they were indifferent.
The survey was conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen. A total of 1,245 people were surveyed between January 13-15.
- Trump policies
- Threat
- NATO
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
