Defense policy represents the most visible arena for this shift. European nations have accelerated military spending and industrial cooperation since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, recognizing that over-reliance on American security guarantees creates strategic vulnerability.

Technology policy offers another frontier. European frustration with Silicon Valley's dominance has driven regulatory initiatives like the Digital Markets Act and aggressive antitrust enforcement against U.S. tech giants. The push for technological sovereignty extends to semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Trade policy reveals similar tensions. While European and American economies remain deeply integrated, disputes over tariffs, subsidies, and regulatory standards have become routine rather than exceptional. The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which Europeans viewed as protectionist, accelerated calls for European industrial policy to match U.S. subsidies.

Notably, the data shows Europeans are not pivoting toward China to fill the perceived void. Skepticism toward Beijing remains high across the continent, reflecting concerns about human rights, trade practices, and geopolitical ambitions.

Instead, Europeans are strengthening ties with what they term "like-minded partners." The survey identified the United Kingdom and Canada as increasingly important relationships, suggesting a desire to maintain Western cooperation while diversifying beyond exclusive U.S. dependence.

The shift cuts across demographic groups, though it is particularly pronounced among older Europeans who remember the Cold War alliance. Younger generations, having known only a unipolar world dominated by U.S. power, appear more willing to imagine alternative arrangements.

For policymakers in Washington, these numbers should prompt serious reflection. The transatlantic relationship has weathered storms before, but this erosion of public confidence represents something potentially more fundamental than typical alliance management challenges.

The question facing both Europe and America is whether strategic autonomy and alliance solidarity can coexist. European leaders insist they can; American officials often view European independence initiatives as threatening to alliance cohesion.

History suggests that alliance structures require constant renegotiation to reflect changing power dynamics and interests. The current moment may represent not the dissolution of the transatlantic partnership, but its overdue adaptation to 21st-century realities.