Is Trump’s America still an ally to the UK? – Politics Weekly UK
Mar 6, 2025
auto_awesome
In a compelling discussion, Patrick Wintour, The Guardian's diplomatic editor, and Taahra Ghazi, CEO of ActionAid, dissect the shifting dynamics of US-UK relations post-Trump. They delve into the ramifications of the US suspending military aid to Ukraine, prompting uncertainty about the alliance's future. Ghazi highlights the dire effects of the UK’s foreign aid cuts on humanitarian efforts, particularly for women and girls in crisis zones. The conversation underscores the urgent need for sustainable aid to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.
Trump's shifting foreign policy raises concerns about U.S. reliability as an ally, impacting Ukraine and broader Western alliances.
The UK's significant cuts to foreign aid for increased defense spending face backlash, threatening humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.
Deep dives
The Impact of Trump's Foreign Policy on Alliances
Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy is reshaping the dynamics of international alliances, particularly with the UK and Ukraine. Concerns are growing in Europe regarding Trump’s threats to disrupt traditional alliances that have existed since World War II. Key figures express alarm over Trump’s inclination to prioritize relations with Russia over those with Western allies, raising fears of a fragmented global order. As evidenced by recent discussions, European diplomats are grappling with how to respond to rapidly changing geopolitical realities while maintaining unity within their ranks.
Keir Starmer's Shift on Foreign Aid and Defense Spending
Keir Starmer's unexpected decision to significantly cut the UK's foreign aid budget has sparked widespread criticism and concern among various stakeholders. This reduction aims to redirect funds towards increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, marking a departure from previous commitments made by Labour to restore aid spending to 0.7%. Many view this move as contradictory to the party's manifesto promises, leading to resignations from within the party and backlash from charities dependent on foreign aid. Stakeholders emphasize that these cuts will hinder vital humanitarian efforts, particularly those addressing issues faced by women and children in conflict zones.
Zelensky's Position and the Future of Ukraine’s Leadership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent diplomatic overtures towards Donald Trump demonstrate the delicate balance he must maintain amid shifting global alliances. Zelensky’s willingness to work under Trump's leadership indicates an attempt to secure support for Ukraine, despite fears that such alignment may undermine the nation's sovereignty and future leadership. Speculation about whether he will remain as president during potential negotiations has emerged, with concerns that external pressures could lead to his replacement. The dynamics of these negotiations point to the broader problem of ensuring that Ukraine retains agency in discussions affecting its future.
The Challenges of Restoring U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine
The freezing of U.S. military aid to Ukraine highlights critical obstacles facing the country’s defense capabilities in a time of crisis. Discussions reveal that the decision to pause aid was likely driven by Trump's pressure on Zelensky to negotiate rapidly with Russia, resulting in uncertainty for the Ukrainian government. There are fears that without American support, Ukraine could find itself fighting at a severe disadvantage, ultimately jeopardizing its sovereignty. Efforts are underway by UK officials to reverse this freeze and secure a more favorable outcome, but the timeline for resolving these issues remains unclear, leaving Ukraine in a precarious position.
The news that the US had suspended military aid to Ukraine stunned world leaders and led to a rapid reassessment of how much we can really rely on our American ally. Is this the end of the western alliance? John Harris asks our diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, as the UK pledges to boost defence spending by slashing our foreign aid budget, ActionAid’s CEO, Taahra Ghazi, tells John about the fallout for organisations working on the ground. Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode