London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A new YouGov poll reveals 44% of UK voters want the government to strengthen ties with the EU, with only 19% supporting closer relations with the US.Â
Britons prefer stronger relations with the EU over the US amid rising concerns about Donald Trump’s re-election and trade policies.
The latest YouGov poll commissioned by Best For Britain reveals that 44% of Britons prefer future relations with the EU, while only 19% favour stronger ties with the US.
More than 4,300 people participated in the survey conducted between 25 and 27 November, the poll highlights concerns as President-elect Trump prepares to raise trade tariffs.
President-elect Trump has already proposed tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico, and China to limit US imports.
According to the polling results, more Britons trust the EU (49%) than the US (30%).
The poll shows 40% of respondents expressed distrust in the US, exceeding those who trust it.
The UK’s “global Britain” strategy suffered a setback as voters expressed little trust in China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, each scoring below 12% or below.
Voters who moved from the Tories to Labour in the summer backed closer relations with Europe, suggesting that prioritizing EU trade may not divide the government’s electoral base.
Around 160 respondents in the poll were part of the group who had shifted their support from the Tories to Labour.
Best for Britain is a campaign group focused on keeping the UK aligned with the EU and resolving issues arising from Brexit.
While the polling indicates the public prefers closer ties with Europe over the US, Sir Keir Starmer has opposed the idea that the UK should choose between them, calling it “plain wrong.”
The Prime Minister took steps to establish good relations with the Trump administration, meeting the president-elect in New York this September.
Since taking office, he has worked to reset the UK’s relations with European nations, meeting leaders from various countries during his first five months as Prime Minister.
A key test of his strategy will come in 2026, with the review of the trade and co-operation agreement that underpins the UK-EU relationship after Brexit.
The influential commission, composed of MPs and business leaders who have provided key recommendations for the EU-UK relationship after Brexit, will reconvene under the leadership of Labour MP Andrew Lewin.
According to Mr Lewin, the MP for Welwyn Hatfield and chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission, it is “vital for the UK to strengthen our ties with our biggest and closest trading partner” – the EU – as the world enters “an increasingly volatile and uncertain global trading environment.”
He added, “It’s clear from this latest polling that public opinion has moved on from the binary Leave-Remain divide. Attitudes are shifting and people and businesses recognise that we need to rebuild relations with the EU to help our economy to succeed.”
During a press gallery lunch in Westminster on Thursday, shadow chancellor Mel Stride stated that Donald Trump’s election poses an “external threat to the UK economy,” suggesting his economic policies could lead to inflation and interest rates in the UK.
Mr Stride added, “We have a new president about to go into the White House who is talking about tariffs.”
Last month, the UK government also advertised the position of EU negotiator as Keir Starmer works to reset Britain’s relationship with Europe.
According to the Cabinet Office, the post offers at least ÂŁ153,000 a year and the selected applicant would serve as the UK’s representative for all dealings with the EU.
The Conservative Party criticized the move, claiming that hiring a new EU negotiator was part of the Prime Minister’s attempt to “undermine Brexit and our status as a sovereign nation” with his plan to bring the UK back into the EU.