German U.S. Relations

Germany German – U.S. Relations

With an 87% approval rating, Germany is a strong advocate of how the U.S. president is handling international policies.

Germany’s support for the United States exerting strong leadership in world affairs slipped from 65% to 59%.

German – EU Relations

87% — the highest percentage in the EU countries surveyed — wish to see the European Union exert strong leadership in world affairs.

The Economy

59% support the United States exerting strong leadership in world economic affairs. 88% — the highest percentage among EU respondents — stated that it was desirable that the European Union do so.

54% — the highest proportion in the EU countries surveyed— said that the EU should have the primary responsibility when dealing with the economic crisis.

53% — one of the highest proportions in the eurozone countries surveyed — stated that the euro has been a bad thing for Germany’s economy. However, 69% — 6 points above the EU average — believe that EU membership has been good for Germany’s economy.

Afghanistan

For the second year in a row, Germany, with 89%, is the most pessimistic country about the prospects of stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan (up from 75% in 2009). Only 40% — 9 points below the EU average — approve of the way Obama is handling stabilizing Afghanistan.

44% — the highest percentage among EU countries surveyed — believe that Germany should start withdrawing troops in 2011 if conditions permit; 35% believe that they should start pulling troops out immediately.

New Powers

Germans(73%) were somewhat more likely than other EU respondents to say that China is likely to exert strong leadership in world affairs five years from now; 39% believe that India is likely to do so.

With 62%, Germany had the most unfavorable overall opinion of China. Favorability for India, on the other hand, is 54%.