The relations between Berlin and Washington are tense. A German-American study shows, however, that the people on both sides of the Atlantic make similar things.
Around 4500 participants, surveys in the United States and in Germany: The Pew research center, a non-governmental research Institute with headquarters in Washington, D. C, and the Körber Foundation, a non-profit organization with headquarters in Hamburg, are already a well-established Team. For the umpteenth Time, the two organisations have carried out a study on the state of transatlantic relations. The interviews were conducted in September 2018, the study was published at the beginning of the week.
She comes to a differentiated result, it is clear that the opinions of Americans and Germans in many areas. This is particularly visible in the case of the assessment of the bilateral relations: Only 24 percent of Germans believe that Germany had a good relationship with the United States. In the year 2017, the numbers were 42 percent, almost twice as many. The positive interpretation of the US-Americans. After all, seven out of ten Americans are of the opinion that the relations with Germany were positive.
Also on the subject of Migration, the opinions go far apart. Almost 60 percent of Germans say that they want to have either less or no migrants in the country. In the USA half of the population have this view, despite the harsh rhetoric of the US President, Donald Trump against migrants in the past few years.
Common Worries and Fears
On the other hand, there are also a number of common views. Especially “global threats” such as cyber attacks, the terrorist militia “Islamic state” and climate change were perceived by both Germans and Americans as the three biggest threats.
Likewise, the people on both sides of the Atlantic are worried about the financial Situation of ordinary people. Almost half of the Americans and Germans believe that a deterioration of the financial Situation for these people. Only a third of respondents in both countries, however, are of the opinion that their Situation had improved. This view is also reflected when looking at the future: More than half of the respondents in both countries Worried that their children will be financially worse off than themselves. Only a third believe that their children will be financially better off.
Trump in the case of AfD followers popular
The relations between the United States and Germany have been strained since the Inauguration of Donald Trump as President. This is due to the increased American duties on German products, the repeated Insistence of Trump, that Germany should be more involved in NATO, and its criticism of the supposed dependence of Germany from Russian energy supplies. For a majority of Germans has turned the positive image of the Germans of the United States had under President Barack Obama, in a negative sense.
Since the presidency of Donald trump’s relations with Germany are considered to be tense
There is one exception: Among the followers of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), a whole series of Trump supporters: 43% of party supporters view the United States positively, a quarter of the followers has a positive image of the US President. In the case of trailers other German parties, the picture looks very different: There was six to eight per cent support only the policies of Donald Trumps.
Democrats against Republicans
However, there is not only the German population, different views, also in the United States between the supporters of the Democrats and the Republicans are associated with differences in the evaluation of international partners. The largest difference of opinion there is on the subject of American duties on imported Goods from Germany and Europe. About two-thirds of the Republicans and their supporters stand behind the duties. In the case of the Democrats and their supporters, there are only about a quarter. Democrats in contrast to Republicans even more confidence in the ability of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the world political stage, the Right thing to do.
The different assessments reflected also in the attitude towards other international partners. Democrats are generally more interested in to cooperate with international partners as a Republican. There is one exception, however: more cooperation with Russia, significantly more Republicans than Democrats.