The special relationship has hit a rocky patch – but we have been here before

Editorial: There will be further issues – including over trade and China – where the strength of the link between Washington and London will be tested

(Dave Brown)

The special relationship between the US and the UK should replace the “the” with an “a”. The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, without consultation with its Nato allies, demonstrated that the US will act unilaterally when it feels appropriate to do so.

The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has denied claims that the airport gate in Kabul that was targeted by a suicide bomber had only been left open because the UK pushed their US counterparts to do so. But the implication casts an unpleasant shadow over the final days of a tragic tale. No evidence of any special relationship there.

In reality, however, relations between the US and UK have long had cool periods – but countries are inevitably bound by plenty more then politics. If the Second World War and its aftermath were a high point of the special relationship, it is worth remembering that it was only 10 years after that the US opposed the UK, France and Israel over their invasion of Egypt, following the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. American financial pressure forced an early retreat.

For many in the UK the lesson was that the country should not act in any foreign military action without at least the tacit support of the US. Even so, there were periods of tension. Harold Wilson, the Labour prime minister, kept the UK out of the Vietnam War. US political support for Britain in the Falklands conflict was lukewarm, at least on the surface, though it was later revealed that it gave considerable logistical help.

So periods when US and UK policies have been completely aligned, or when the countries have taken military action together, have to be set against periods when relations have been at best cool, and at worst in real tension.

Looking ahead, there will be further issues where the relationship will be tested. One obvious one is the future of Nato. The UK and other allies’ involvement in Afghanistan took place because the US triggered the clause in the Nato treaty that an attack on one – in this case 9/11 – should be regarded as an attack on all. Its allies, including Germany, France and Italy, have all suffered casualties. Yet there was no effort to seek agreement on the withdrawal plan. Nato is weaker as a result.

More generally, the US will seek support from friendly nations, and especially the UK, as it rethinks its relationship with the great global giant, China. Interests will diverge. From a UK perspective the Chinese economy will become increasingly important. This will put strains on the relationship with the US.

That relationship will still be special, but it would be unrealistic not to expect a cooler period ahead.