HELSINKI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Two-thirds of Finns are concerned about the security of Finland and Europe due to recent changes in U.S. policy, according to a new survey published Saturday.
The Uutissuomalainen poll, conducted by the consortium of 21 Finnish newspapers between March 11 and 19 with responses from 1,000 people, found that 44 percent were somewhat concerned and 22 percent very concerned. Only five percent said they were not concerned at all.
Many respondents cited shifts under President Donald Trump -- including decreased commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and rising tariffs -- as key sources of unease.
Concern was more common among women, with 73 percent expressing at least moderate concern, compared to 59 percent of men. Political affiliation also played a role: just over half of Finns Party supporters were concerned, while three-quarters of Left Alliance backers shared that view.
"NATO membership was expected to enhance Finland's security, but Trump's unpredictability clearly influences public opinion," said Juha Vuori, political science lecturer at the University of Turku.
Ville Sinkkonen, senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that similar fears are growing across Europe. "A recent YouGov survey showed 49 percent of Britons and 48 percent of Germans see Trump as a very large threat to European security," he said.
