Majority Finns want EU to reduce dependency on US, China: survey

Majority of Finnish people strongly support the EUs strategic autonomy, reduction of dependencies and protection of critical resources, according to the survey jointly commissioned by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA. A clear majority of respondents (79%) support strengthening EU self-sufficiency in critical technologies and products, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, said a press release on Friday referring to the survey result. The respondents also consider investment in food security and energy production as important. According to the survey, 77% of respondents believe that Europe should reduce its technological and economic dependence on the US, even though it is still seen as an important security partner. There is also exceptionally broad support (76%) for limiting the power of major American and Chinese corporations. A majority believe that Europe should reduce its technological dependence on China, even if this would slow climate action. “Based on the survey, Finns no longer view the EU merely as economic cooperation or a regulatory mechanism. Above all, they expect effectiveness: the ability to strengthen Europes security, safeguard critical resources and reduce dependencies in an uncertain geopolitical context,” said Timo Miettinen, lead author of the memorandum and Senior Advisor of Sitra. On trade policy, the survey indicated that Finns do not favor isolation, but support a managed shift toward broader international partnerships. “Attitudes towards the European Union are broadly positive, and willingness to deepen EU integration is now significantly greater than in the past,” said Ilkka Haavisto, Research Director of EVA, adding that the study provides new information on what Finns are prepared to accept – and what they are not – in the EU in a changed geopolitical situation. The survey conducted by Taloustutkimus from March 17 to March 30 2026 where 2,047 individuals and 34 EU experts took part. The margin of error is 2 to 3 percentage points in either direction.