British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is forced to balance between 2 economical giants, the US and the European Union.Source: Wikimedia Commons. licence – Open Government licence v3.0. Author – Prime Minister s Office
Although they have given up the citizenship of the European Union, they have not left the European cultural circle. As they stay an integral part of the Western world, they look at Donald Trump's actions at the same time with increasing concern. How does Britain, which has not been in the European Union since 2020, view America today? And will Europe’s geographical proximity outweigh the overwhelming cultural influence of the United States under Trump?
There are many cases that divide US and UK politicians. But first, let us focus on what they have in common. The first political similarities of these 2 countries are membership of NATO and permanent membership of the UN safety Council. As far as NATO is concerned, Britain is 1 of 3 members of this organization with its own atomic arsenal. British soldiers are a power on both water and air. According to the Institute of fresh Europe: "The framework state within the JEF, providing the organization and command strategy with a base in Northwood is the United Kingdom". JEF is the Joint Expeditionary Force over which the United Kingdom inactive holds its leadership. In the United Nations, it has the same powers as the United States, France, China and the Russian Federation. As a permanent associate of the safety Council, its representatives shall have veto rights.
The United Kingdom of large Britain and Northern Ireland have signed many agreements with the United States. Already in 1854, a free trade treaty was signed between British North America and the US. As we know, in later years these 2 countries besides cooperated in various spheres – politically, economically and militarily. We are talking about the large Coalition formed in 1941. It included the United States, the United Kingdom and the USSR and the task of these countries was to defeat Nazi Germany together. A year after their surrender, in 1946, came the celebrated word "iron curtain". It was formulated by Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of large Britain during planet War II and a longtime leader of British Conservatives. A fewer decades later, the United Kingdom's turn towards neoliberalism deepened economical relations with the US, providing a crucial example of the alleged "special relations" connecting the 2 powers.
In the 21st century, Brexit brought the United Kingdom and the United States closer, especially at the economical level. On 8 May 2025, another trade agreement between these countries was signed. According to Rzeczpospolita: "A 10% base work on British products was maintained in the trade agreement between the USA and the United Kingdom. Instead, it has access to the British marketplace for American agricultural products.... (...) Goods from the USA are besides to be handled in the UK as part of a faster customs path." It is clear that the economical relations of these 2 countries stay good despite Donald Trump's policies of turbulence in planet trade.
So what does Britain and the United States share? Like Palestine. In practice, it is not an autonomous state, despite the agreements concluded in Oslo in 1991. The United States powerfully rejected this idea, but the United Kingdom recognized the Palestinian State. Spain and Ireland have done likewise in fresh months; EU associate States. The speech published on the authoritative website of the British Government states: “All efforts must be made to make the conditions for negotiations that will guarantee sovereign, vital and free Palestine, alongside safe, safe and free Israel, recognising the safety concerns and the right to self-defense of each one.” The UK government wants to make 2 states in the territory of the erstwhile Palestine Mandate. president Donald Trump's policy regarding the future of this region seems to be completely different.
The European Union may be a essential partner for Britain in a changing world.Source; Wikimedia Commons. licence – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Author – Christophe Licoppe
The same applies to the war in Ukraine. The United Kingdom and the European Union have not stopped helping those who defend their country. Among many UK declarations, the agreement on the 100-year partnership between this country and Ukraine concluded on 16 January should be distinguished. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stressed at the Munich safety Conference: "The future of Ukraine is besides the future of Europe". This demonstrates the convergence of the British and European safety position in the face of Russian expansionism.
On the example of the war in Ukraine, it is in any ways right to say that in key geopolitical issues, Britain is closer to the European Union's position than the current US government. The instability in the transatlantic relations of the United Kingdom can have different effects on both countries, yet being atomic powers and permanent members of the safety Council.
The affirmative effects expected by Brexit supporters of the economical approximation of the islands with the United States stay in the realm of dreams. EU associate States are inactive the most crucial section among UK trading partners. Leaving the single marketplace has exposed British entrepreneurs and average citizens to unemployment, inflation, increased cost of surviving and increased supply chains, which sometimes resulted in empty shelves. There is no way to return to the community, but the unpredictability of the US under Trump prompts the UK government to look at the previously rejected Union.
Nicole KRAKOWSKA
