More than half (58 per cent) of voters want closer trade with the EU, compared to just one-in five (20 per cent) who prefer deepening ties with the US, the BMG Research poll for The i Paper suggested.
But negotiations are set to continue on further tariff reductions, and Starmer has faced repeated warnings that he may ultimately have to choose whether to tack closer to the US or the EU.
As well as voters across the Leave-Remain divide favouring closer EU trade over US trade, more than half (51 per cent) believe Starmer should be doing more to get closer to Brussels.
But many more voters favour going further by rejoining the EU customs union (46 support, 22 per cent oppose) or single market (44 per cent support, 23 per cent oppose) to ease trade.
For those who voted Remain, 71 per cent want the UK Government to do more to build stronger relations with the EU, 73 per cent support the UK rejoining the EU customs union and 72 per cent support the UK rejoining the EU single market.
In an illustration of why Starmer made maintaining UK food standards a red line in his trade talks with Trump, the poll showed strong opposition to watering down regulations to get a deal with the US (58 per cent would oppose, 23 per cent would accept).
“When it comes to formal arrangements, such as rejoining the EU customs union or single market, support outweighs opposition by around two to one. However, Leave voters remain significantly more resistant to these specific measures, even if they support the general principle of improved EU relations.
“On the prospect of a trade deal with the US, the public expressed clear resistance to lowering food standards as part of a trade agreement, with US agriculture a particular concern.
:: BMG Research interviewed a representative sample of 1,525 GB adults online between 6-8 May 2025. Fieldwork was conducted before details of the UK-US trade agreement were announced. BMG Research is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
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