US-European relations have reached a deep rift under the Trump administration. Trump has undermined traditional allies by weakening support for Ukraine and changing America’s global approach. Europe is increasing its defence budget and strengthening its nuclear deterrent to counter this situation. Britain, a long-time ally of the United States, is also experiencing tensions in its relations with the United States. Trump has imposed tariff policies on British goods. Trump’s trade policy has plunged the future of transatlantic ties into uncertainty. Britain is in one of its most sensitive and difficult trade situations in recent years. This article analyses how these developments reshape UK-US relations under the Trump administration.
The special relationship between the United States and Britain in the course of history
Nothing annoys the British more than being ignored by the Americans. The special relationship between these two countries is an established principle. The idea that Britain should always be on America’s side is deeply rooted in British political psychology. It was so before Britain joined the EU, during its membership, and even after it left. Anglo-American relations have always been friendly but have been strained at times. Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has thrown the future of Anglo-American relations into doubt. Therefore, the direction of UK-US relations under the Trump administration is still uncertain.
Good Anglo-American relations in the first term of the Trump presidency
One consequence of the start of the Trump presidency has been a change in London’s attitude towards Washington. During Trump’s first term, the relationship was not particularly difficult to manage. Theresa May, the then-British prime minister, managed to work with him despite their differences. The next prime minister, Boris Johnson, became Trump’s political twin, although he had made unflattering comments about Trump while he was mayor of London. Ultimately, however, Trump’s threats were more than his actions.
Changing global relations under Trump’s second term
Starmer is between loyalty to Europe and Trump’s push to leave the EU and move closer to Washington’s policies. UK-US relations under the Trump administration have been in tension and alignment for the months since Trump’s victory. Donald Trump has transformed almost every aspect of the global order. This time, in Trump’s second term, things are very different. In recent weeks, Trump has put European leaders to the test, as he has belittled Ukraine and praised Russia.
UK-US relations under the Trump administration
Trump initially disliked PM, Keir Starmer, mainly because some British Labor Party officials had supported Kamala Harris in the US election. The ideologies of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement believe that Britain, like the rest of Europe, has been infected by a leftist awakening. Believing that the two countries are bound by a common language and specific social values, they expect the British to obey America at all costs. Thus, UK-US relations under the Trump administration are in an imposed state, and Trump is seeking to impose his policies on Britain.
Starmer’s bid to improve US-UK relations
Starmer believed that the less he said about Trump, the more chance he had of influencing him behind the scenes. His first visit to the White House was marked by overt flattery. He brought Trump a letter from King Charles III inviting him to a second state visit to London and speaking enthusiastically of the special relationship. Trump, delighted by the gesture, responded warmly. Starmer returned to Britain, delighted with his diplomatic success, as was the domestic media, which had criticised him for everything he did.
Britain’s cautious approach to Trump
As the new tariffs come into effect, the British government has continued to refrain from taking a firm stance like the European Union. Britain preferred to pursue a negotiation path with the United States. The British government has taken a cautious approach in response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Unlike the European Union, Britain has refrained from announcing immediate retaliatory measures. British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has expressed his displeasure with the White House’s decision. He stressed that the British government is trying to find a way out of this crisis through negotiations.
UK’s cautious approach to Trump’s actions criticised
Industry and trade unions have criticised the Starmer government’s cautious approach. Gareth Stace, director general at the UK Steel industry body, described the tariffs as hugely disappointing to the UK steel industry. He called on the UK government to take decisive action to protect domestic producers. The Community Union of Steelworkers has also insisted that London must retaliate at least as much as the EU has done. Alasdair McDiarmid, the Community’s assistant general secretary, has warned that these tariffs are devastating for UK steel producers and could put many jobs at risk.
Threat to Britain’s trading position in the global trading system
The new tariffs come as the Starmer government had hoped to strengthen its trade relationship with the US after Brexit. However, UK-US relations under the Trump administration have shown that Britain has become more vulnerable to Washington’s protectionist policies outside the EU. Naomi Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Best for Britain, has stressed that London must deepen its trade cooperation with the EU to avoid the damaging effects of Trump’s tariffs. At the same time, some experts, including Marco Forgione, Director General at The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, have supported the government’s cautious approach.
Growing dissatisfaction with the British government’s inaction against Trump’s policies
UK-US relations under the Trump administration are worrying and volatile. Trump’s recent actions have raised concerns about rising costs and uncertainty for UK businesses, investors, and consumers. Also, the conflicting views of Starmer and Trump on the war in Ukraine and Russia have added to the complexity of the tensions. Starmer has taken a cautious stance towards Trump’s actions so far. Starmer must clarify his approach to Trump as soon as possible. He must take retaliatory measures like the European Union or follow Trump’s policies. The British government’s cautious stance towards Trump’s actions has increased criticism of Starmer’s inaction against Trump. The Starmer government’s inaction towards Trump will have negative consequences. A further decline in the popularity of the Labor Party is one of these negative consequences.
