The "Special Relationship" and Brexit: The US-UK Alliance in the Trump Era

The UK’s vote to exit the European Union and the election of Donald Trump have triggered tension in the West between a prevailing "globalist" outlook and an ascendant nationalism. The negotiations over Brexit are the most obvious manifestation of this clash.

By inviting Prime Minister Theresa May to the White House as the first head of government to visit since he assumed office, President Trump signaled his support of Great Britain in the coming negotiations. In particular, by promising an expedited free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK, President Trump is strengthening the British hand against the EU.

On Thursday, March 2, Hudson Institute hosted a conversation about what lies ahead for US, UK, and EU trade negotiations. Samantha Job of the British Embassy and Ted Bromund of The Heritage Foundation joined Brendan Brown and Peter Rough, both of Hudson Institute, to assess the possible strategies for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the driver behind the continental position, and how the American desire to negotiate an FTA with the UK might influence the UK-EU talks. More broadly, the panelists addressed how the political economy and distribution of power across Europe are likely to shift after Brexit.