By Harris Young | April 22, 2026
The Special Relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States remains a key part of British foreign policy, especially in the areas of defence and intelligence. The two countries work closely together through NATO and the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, and this aspect of the relationship is often regarded as one of the strongest and most consistent.
As we approach the third month of the Iran war, the rhetoric has intensified. President Trump is pushing for the UK to play a role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stating “go get your own oil”. He has also called on European countries to send minesweepers in an effort to get oil flowing freely out of the Gulf again.
With many Brits questioning the strength of the Special Relationship, UK Treasury minister James Murray described it as “deep and long-standing”.
The United States is one of the UK’s biggest trading partners, with significant levels of trade and investment flowing both ways. Since Brexit, there has been discussion of a full trade deal, but nothing has been fully agreed so far. Recently, Trump has warned that the UK’s trade deal “can always be changed” as a result of Britain “not being there when we needed them” on Iran.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, his comments on the UK have sometimes been more direct than those of previous US presidents. He has criticised aspects of the UK’s trade plans, questioned how Brexit was being handled, and made public remarks about British political figures. Despite this, cooperation between the two governments remains strong, especially in defence and security.
Although the UK and US often take similar positions on the world stage, this is not always the case. There can be differences in how they approach countries like China or Russia, or in their handling of trade and climate policy. These differences are usually about the method rather than fundamental disagreement, and are typically managed through normal diplomatic channels.
There are also strong cultural links between the two countries, including a shared language, shared values, and close ties in areas such as finance, education, and media. These connections help keep the relationship stable even when the political atmosphere shifts.
Overall, the UK and US remain close partners, with strong links in defence, trade, and culture. Although the relationship continues to evolve depending on political leadership and global events, the two countries remain closely tied.
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