Finns now place roughly as much trust in the United States as in China or Russia, according to a poll published on Tuesday.

The survey was commissioned by discussion forum SuomiAreena and the Nordic Council of Ministers, and carried out by research firm Verian.

Antti Lehtinen, who heads SuomiAreena, said it was not surprising that trust in the United States has weakened.

“But it is striking that trust has fallen to roughly the same level as that accorded to China and Russia,” he said.

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Only four percent of respondents said they trust the United States. Trust levels were even lower for China at three percent, and for Russia at just one percent.

At the same time, the study found that Finns regard Nato as the most trustworthy international institution, even though the United States has traditionally played a leading role within the alliance.

Finns are, however, feeling more confident about their Nordic neighbours.

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“We do not trust the East or the United States. Leadership in Europe is not particularly strong at the moment. So it’s natural that the Nordic countries are trending,” Lehtinen explained.

The survey, which drew responses from some 1,000 people, was carried out ahead of the US attack on Iran.

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