UK Would Side with US Over China but Doubts US as Ally—Expert
The long-standing “special relationship” between London and Washington has faced renewed examination during US President Donald Trump’s time in office, amid disputes involving free speech, tariff threats connected to Greenland, the Chagos Islands agreement, and contentious comments regarding NATO’s role in Afghanistan.
Despite these tensions, the two nations continue to share extensive bilateral ties. At the same time, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is undertaking a three-day visit to Beijing, a trip intended to generate “opportunities” that will “benefit” the UK.
The timing of the visit, set against a backdrop of strained transatlantic relations, has fueled debate over whether it could signal a recalibration of ties between London and Beijing.
Starmer’s trip is particularly notable as he is the first British prime minister to travel to the Chinese capital since 2018.
According to expert commentary, Britain’s connection with the US—especially in areas such as intelligence cooperation and nuclear collaboration—remains “substantive and long-standing and very, very deep.”
However, the same assessment points to growing instability in day-to-day political dealings, noting, “But then there's the kind of year-to-year, day-to-day political relationship between the two, and certainly during this second Trump administration that has been extremely tempestuous and problematic.”
Addressing Britain’s diplomatic balancing act under the Trump administration’s approach to alliances, the expert said Starmer has sought to navigate a careful middle ground amid tensions between Europe and the US.
Nevertheless, disputes including those linked to Greenland and the Chagos Islands agreement have reportedly left British officials feeling “very, very uncomfortable indeed,” underscoring the strain beneath the surface of the transatlantic partnership.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
