Those involved in British foreign policy often discuss “special relationships” more than their American counterparts. There’s a valid reason for this—it genuinely matters to us.
This isn’t simply about emotion or a desire to cling to great power status. Those explanations, while somewhat accurate, fall short.
The International Relations and Defense Committee of the Senate is currently exploring the future dynamics between the UK and the US. In the evidence I’ve provided, I’ve emphasized that the United States stands as Britain’s premier bilateral ally in trade, defense, intelligence, diplomacy, and an array of cultural and historical ties.
However, this relationship is always changing. Socrates’ insights about unexamined lives can be applied to unexamined policy assumptions too—especially in international matters where stagnation is not an option.
The Global Prosperity Coalition, formed in 2018 by former Prime Minister David Cameron and former defense secretary Penny Mordaunt, promotes three interlinked pillars essential for UK foreign and security policies: effective development budgets, assertive diplomacy, and robust defense strategies.
Recently, we released a report titled “.Transatlantic Ties: UK Relations Towards 2045” that delves into the shifting political landscape and proposes ways for Britain to bolster and renew its alliances. (Just to clarify, I recently became a Senior National Security Fellow in this group after the report was completed, so I wasn’t involved in its writing.)
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has shifted the UK-US relationship, creating some discomfort for Britain and straining the ties between our nations. The report notes that the UK needs to ramp up its defense spending to share burdens more equitably. London must recognize that Washington has diverging viewpoints about trade, tariffs, Ukraine, and international aid. While there are disagreements, if they’re properly understood, they can be navigated.
Supporting our recommendations, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb recently stated that European nations should, in a sense, embody a “Reverse Kennedy” stance during Trump’s era: rather than asking what Americans can do for them, they should consider what they can do for America. This doesn’t mean becoming military or diplomatic subordinates; instead, it’s about identifying mutual interests where the UK can exert influence or offer capabilities that benefit both parties.
The report advises the UK government to adhere to new NATO defense spending targets and develop a specific plan to elevate defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
As the US increasingly views China as a major threat over the coming decades, its policies and strategic focus are shifting toward the Indo-Pacific region. China has been forging alliances and establishing itself as a patron to smaller nations, as seen with its Belt and Road Initiatives in places like Cambodia, Peru, and Sri Lanka.
This report calls on Britain to actively challenge the narrative surrounding China, focusing on its human rights violations and self-serving policies. The UK is uniquely positioned to do so, given its involvement in numerous significant forums such as the United Nations, NATO, G7, and others.
Additionally, the report advocates for the creation of “mini-coalition” groups, where a select few countries collaborate to achieve specific, defined objectives.
This approach has real potential in various areas. For instance, Pillar 2 involves a tri-nation agreement for research, development, and the production of new technologies. There’s also the Joint Expedition Team, a British-led alliance of ten European countries aimed at providing rapid response capabilities in Baltic and Arctic regions. Furthermore, there’s a proposal for a US-UK-led mini-cell group focusing on re-evaluating development priorities and mechanisms.
At the core of the report lies a straightforward message: Transatlantic relations have yielded significant benefits for both nations. The UK cannot rely solely on historical momentum; it must actively seek to reinforce and renew these relationships through targeted initiatives that provide tangible advantages.
This approach entails increased defense spending, taking firmer stances against China, demonstrating the benefits of AUKUS to its participants, and inviting observers to the Joint Expeditionary Force summit to showcase Europe’s independent security enhancements.
Indeed, Trump embodies a business-like mentality that prioritizes how America can derive benefits from situations. The UK needs to foreground its contributions. If it feels that the emotional essence of the Atlantic Charter and the Reagan-Thatcher era is yielding to a more pragmatic approach, perhaps that’s just a reflection of the current reality.
