Britons see US under Trump as greater threat to world peace than China, North Korea: Survey

A growing number of Britons consider the US under President Donald Trump a serious threat to world peace, ranking it as more dangerous than China and North Korea and about as dangerous as Iran, according to a new survey. The 2026 British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey released Thursday found that 74% of respondents viewed the US as a serious threat, more than double the 35% recorded in 2024. The findings also show growing public support for closer relations with Western Europe rather than Washington.

Some 42% of respondents said Britain's interests would be best served by closer links with Europe, while 38% favored equally close relations with Europe and the US. Only 9% prioritized closer ties with the US. Concerns about other global powers have also increased. The proportion viewing Russia as a serious threat rose from 41% in 1994 to 89% in 2026, while concern about China increased from 28% 20 years ago to 62%. Meanwhile, 78% regarded Israel as a serious threat to world peace, compared with 48% in 2005.

Majority support higher defense spending The survey found that 56% of Britons now favor increased defense spending, marking the first time a majority has supported higher expenditure. Only 17% want spending reduced. Support for increased spending among Labour supporters rose from 28% in 2024 to 55% in 2026, while backing among women increased from 40% in 2025 to 52% in 2026. Only 21% of Green Party supporters favored higher defense spending.

The findings also showed that support for welfare spending does not necessarily conflict with backing higher defense budgets. Around half of those favoring increased benefits for retired people, carers and low-income parents also supported greater defense expenditure. On military service, 45% of respondents aged 55 and over attached high importance to willingness to serve, compared with 22% of those under 35.