UK-US relations under Trump have become a debate among Britons. Trump threatens to impose tariffs on all goods and has forced the UK to spend more of its GDP on defense. Nearly half (47%) of Britons view Europe as most important to Britain compared to the USA (21%) or the Commonwealth (15%). YouGov, on behalf of Best for Britain, conducted a large poll of over 4,000 people. Almost half of all voters (44%) think that Britain’s economic future lies with our closest neighbours in the EU.
On the other hand, Starmer is under pressure to choose between the EU and the US. Britons believe that Brexit has had a negative impact on their lives and want the Government to make better relations with the EU countries as they are more like the Britons. However, Starmer says that both relations are necessary for the UK. It is hard to choose.
UK-US Relations under Trump: Special Relationship
UK-US relations under Trump have become a concern. Politicians have praised the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain. Winston Churchill coined the phrase in the wake of World War II. Under President Donald Trump’s second administration, Britain will settle for a merely functional relationship. Trump threatens to slap tariffs on America’s neighbors. Therefore, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Government is racing to bolster its diplomatic and economic defenses for a turbulent new transatlantic era. Kathleen Burk said that in such uncharted waters, whoever claims to know what is going on is just lying. Kathleen Burk is an expert on US-UK relations and a professor at University College London and
UK-US Relations under Trump: Pressure over Trade and Defense
Trump has already increased pressure on longstanding allies. He would impose tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump has suggested Britain could escape similar tariffs. He has said that Britain can work it out.
Britain is also facing pressure from Trump to increase defense spending. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO. He threatened not to defend members of the alliance that fail to meet defense-spending goals. The president has said NATO countries should spend at least 5% of their income on defense. It is up from the current 2% target. Britain spends 2.3% of its GDP on defense and says it will increase that figure to 2.5%.
What to Choose: Stuck in the Middle
Some politicians on the right of UK politics see Trump’s return as an opportunity for deeper UK.-US trade ties. On the other hand, UK-US relations under Trump are changing to a complication for Starmer. Starmer’s desire for closer trade with the EU is in contrast with the relation with the US. However, the UK needs a “reset” with the EU bloc after years of acrimony over Brexit. Britain could face pressure to pick a side as it is stuck between the US and the EU.
Moreover, UK-US relations under Trump are making another concern for the UK. John Cooper, a Conservative Party lawmaker, said that under President Trump, the American eagle is starting to spread its wings. Europe is fading, with sclerotic growth amid political turmoil.
Britons Favor the EU rather than the US
Nearly half (47%) of Britons view Europe as most important to Britain compared to USA (21%) or the Commonwealth (15%). A new Ipsos poll shows that nearly half of Britons (47%) now consider Europe to be most important to Britain. This is the largest share since this question was first asked in 2019 when the figure stood at 39%. The proportion far surpasses those who think the USA (21%) or the Commonwealth (15%) are most important to Britain.
Furthermore, twice as many Britons (36%) believe Britain’s interests align with Europe’s. By contrast, 3 in 10 (29%) think Britain’s interests are similar to the USA’s, with 23% viewing their interests as opposed.
YouGov Poll: Britons Vote for the EU
The UK faces new trade tariffs from President-elect Trump and prepares for the review of the Brexit deal. An important new poll shows that twice as many voters think the UK should prioritise increasing trade with the EU. Naomi Smith said that trade doesn’t have to be either-or. However, it is clear that when it comes to priorities, Britain wants a closer relationship with the EU first.
YouGov, on behalf of Best for Britain, conducted a large poll of over 4,000 people. Almost half of all voters (44%) think that Britain’s economic future lies with our closest neighbours in the EU. Those who think the Government should prioritise trade with the USA are about 19%. Crucially, voters who backed the Tories but switched to Labour are just as emphatic in their support for closer EU ties.
Starmer Under Pressure: Britons Favoring the EU
Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to forge closer economic relations with Europe five years after Brexit. A major new poll shows voters clearly favour prioritising more trade with the EU over the US. Under the post-Brexit arrangements agreed by Boris Johnson, the UK sits outside both the EU single market and its customs union. Therefore, goods traded by UK companies to and from the EU face time-consuming and costly delays at borders due to checks.
In addition, UK citizens are no longer able to travel to work in the EU because they were under freedom of movement rules that apply to member states.The Starmer Government has doubled down on its failed economic policies. It needs to give up its tried and failed policies of punitive taxes, borrowing, and reckless spending. The UK is bankrupt.
Say No to Musk and Trump Capitalism: UK-US Relations under Trump
UK-US Relations under Trump has made a difficult choice for the UK. The UK must choose between EU and Trump. Pascal Lamy, Former head of the WTO, said that the UK should side with the European Union over trade and economic policies. As there is a growing fear over a possible global trade war. Clearly, the UK’s interests lay in staying close to the EU on trade, rather than allying with Trump. Because it does three times more trade with Europe than the US.
Lamy said that the UK socio-economic model is much closer to the EU social model. It is not like the very hard, brutal version of capitalism of Trump and [Elon] Musk. He believes that to unite politically, economically and socially with the US and not with Europe makes absolutely no sense.
Brexit Regrets among British Voters
UK-US relations under Trump include the post-Brexit condition of the UK. Five years after Britain’s official departure from the EU, about half (48%) of Britons say that leaving the EU has negatively impacted their daily lives. This figure increased from 28% who said the same in March 2021. An almost equal share (46%) believe Brexit has also been detrimental to the EU.
Rachel Reeves says that Brexit has harmed the UK economy. Moreover, she is determined to claw back some of the lost GDP by reducing trade frictions for UK small businesses wherever possible. Reeves also answered yes when asked if she was clear that leaving the EU had damaged the UK’s financial position.
Sophie’s choice: Starmer between the EU and US
UK-US relations under Trump have become a Sophie’s choice for Starmer. Sir Keir said both the EU and US relationships were important to the UK. He said he would be willing to water down attempts to forge closer ties with the EU in exchange for keeping the US on side.
The UK Government wants to forge stronger relations with the EU. However, that could anger the US and risk the UK getting caught up in a trade war. Similarly, the EU might object to Sir Keir siding with the US rather than its European neighbours.
