British Defence Secretary fears US may no longer be UK’s key ally in conflicts
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Britain may have to fight future conflicts without the help of the US as its key ally, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned.
Mr Wallace worries that the increasing isolationist policies of US President Donald Trump mean that the UK may need to rethink the assumptions that have underpinned its defence planning for the last 10 years.
The warning comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson gets ready to lead the “deepest review” of Britain’s security, defence and foreign policy since the Cold War.
A steadfast ally of the United States that places its “special relationship” with Washington at the heart of its foreign policy, Britain has also traditionally been a pillar and strong advocate of NATO.
But in unusually frank comments, Wallace said fears that the United States under President Donald Trump would pursue increasingly isolationist policies kept him awake at night, according to the Sunday Times.
He said the assumption that Britain would always be part of a U.S. coalition was no longer valid and the government should plan accordingly.
“We are very dependent on American air cover and American intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. We need to diversify our assets,” Wallace said.
