The US, BREXIT and Anglo-American relations

Abstract

At the time of writing, US President Donald Trump is embattled in the White House, Theresa May gambled and lost her government’s working majority at the June 2017 General Election, BREXIT is mired in confusion, Trump has pronounced trade wars a ‘good thing’ and transatlantic relations are unsettled. Now is, therefore, a fascinating — if uncertain — time to consider the state of Anglo-American relations. This article argues that concern for the special relationship arising from Britain’s forthcoming loss of influence within the European Union is overstated and obscures a more important consideration - namely the economic capacity of post-BREXIT Britain to continue ‘paying the price’ of special access to and cooperation with Washington. It also argues that whatever Washington does or does not do during BREXIT negotiations will be an important factor in how Britain emerges from the Union. The terms of British departure are the province of Westminster and Brussels but proactive American shaping of the environment in which BREXIT is negotiated and effected could strengthen British prospects significantly. Conversely were the Trump White House to neglect or mishandle the BREXIT process it would risk greater instability in transatlantic relations and the further erosion of America’s most capable and reliable ally.