The survey, published each year by the think tank, the German Marshall Fund, noted that 51% of people in the US believe Asia is "more important" for their "national interests" than the EU. The pro-Asia feeling was even stronger among young Americans (over 70% in the 18 to 34 age range). The result is a massive change compared to 2004 when just 29% of U.S. respondents overall plumped for Asia.

From the European point of view, based on surveys in 12 large member states, the U.S. is still the old continent's main partner on the world stage. 52% of Europeans said the U.S. is more important than Asia, with France, Spain and Sweden the only countries on the pro-Asia side.