Do people in France still consider the US an ally? What new poll shows

Nearly three-quarters of people in France no longer consider the United States an ally – and over one in four believe it is now an ‘enemy country’, a new poll shows. 

At the same time, over half of Americans believe the US and France remain allies, and only 2% view France as an ‘enemy’. 

Canadians were also polled, with 43% believing their southern neighbour was now to be viewed as an ‘enemy’. 

Pollster Ifop conducted the survey* in the light of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, commemorated on May 8. 

Political and age differences 

In detail, 27% of French people said the US remains an ally, with 34% saying it was a ‘neutral’ country and 26% that it was an ‘enemy’ (13% of people gave no response or were unsure). 

However, these numbers change significantly when split into political camps and different age groups. 

Members of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) were more likely to call the US an enemy (34%) than those in the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), with only 16% agreeing with the statement. 

Age was also a major factor, with 17% of under-35s believing the US to be hostile compared with 31% of over-65s.

Americans view France in a friendlier manner – 54% believe the country is an ally of the US. although 34% of respondents said France was neutral. 

Read more: Americans moving to France are increasingly choosing Nice

Defence policy differences 

The French were more in alignment over European defence policy – 58% believe the EU must be completely independent from the US when it comes to the continent’s defence. 

This is a growing trend among Europeans since Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024.

At the same time, only 28% of Americans thought the same – in contrast to the rhetoric of US Vice-President JD Vance, who recently said European nations should be more proactive in their own defence commitments and rely less on America. 

France’s view on Canada

French people are vehemently opposed to the potential foreign policy plans of incumbent president Donald Trump.

78% are opposed to the US annexation of Canada, 77% against the US plans to annex Greenland, and 75% against an American reoccupation of the Panama Canal. 

Only 5% of respondents were in favour of the US annexing Canada and Greenland.

In the event of a conflict, 44% believe French troops should be sent to defend Canada if a war breaks out, and 43% in case of a war over Greenland (Greenland is part of fellow EU member state Denmark). 

Politically, 69% of ‘centrist voters’ share this view in regards to defending Canada, dropping to 58% on the left, and only 32% of RN voters. 

The full study can be found in English here.

It also includes an overview of opinions on the War in Ukraine and views on which countries were most important in defeating Nazi Germany in World War Two.

*Poll conducted online by Ifop for NYC.eu, including 1,225 Americans and 1,000 French respondents over the age of 18. 

Read more: Letters: People in France must stand up to Trump's tariffs