Does America really care about the ‘special relationship’? | Question Time

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[Schiltron]

“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests” ― Henry Kissinger

[ConorMaguire-wlvk]

The special relationship is so special that the Americans don't know about it.

[fintonmainz]

Every country has a special relationship with the USA.

[albertperks]

I can't believe we still reference this special relationship - it's like a child seeking continual approval from their mother. We really need to grow-up and realise that the world is a much more ambiguous place than it was 70+ years ago.

[theobnoxiousotter]

I think the UK exaggerates its importance on the world stage. Its relationship is as special/mundane as any other country.

[ziploc]

As an Englishman who emigrated to the USA and now holds dual citizenship, it doesn't matter a shrivelled fig to the US.
Brexit has so damaged the UK economically and politically, that it is just a nation looking to its past for importance.
If the UK was still in the EU it would be a much stronger partner for the US to help steer the EU towards US goals and values.
The major EU nations are far more important to the USA as political and economic partners.

[melabert]

It's curious how UK media outlets like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 dedicate far more coverage to US political affairs than to European politics—or even British politics, at times. This trend has persisted for the past 20 years since I moved here. While the UK's relationship with the US is undoubtedly important, I would argue it's no more critical than our ties with other major global players like India, China, Japan, or even Argentina and Chile.

Why is it that people here are more likely to know about a scandal in the New York mayor's office than what's happening in the European Parliament? Despite the UK's former position within the EU, our media have consistently failed to provide substantive coverage of European governance or politics. It’s as though our proximity and political ties to Europe have been sidelined in favor of an Anglo-American narrative.

As an American myself, I see that the US interest in the UK often boils down to language, the monarchy, and its place within Europe. Yes, there are longstanding military and intelligence ties, but every nation forges strategic relationships. These bonds are not as unique as they're often portrayed. The media's focus on the US at the expense of covering equally significant relationships seems misplaced, especially considering the UK's strategic importance globally.

And let's be honest—regardless of who holds the US presidency, there’s always a public show of getting along with the UK. That’s not unique to the US; virtually every country puts on the same diplomatic front, portraying harmony for the cameras. The real question is why this predictable spectacle dominates our news cycles while more pressing geopolitical relationships receive little attention.

[bryson]

I'm an American. Can someone explain why people think we have a special (growing?) affinity for Ireland? I think we view Ireland in a positive light, but similarly to how we view the
rest of the anglosphere.

Also, while I get it's natural to feel jaded about a relationship that's one-sided, I think another comment said it best in that our media doesn't typically cover our economic relationships and partnerships. Those sort of fluctuations seem big to you all, but the average American really isn't noticing or thinking about it. I really think the way Americans view our allies hasn't changed at all, just less interest.

[MadLFC]

As a Brit I think UK politicians suck up to the US government a little too much and focus on the special relationship too much as well. Brits and Americans know we are close allies and have been since WWII and there is absolutely no need to keep bringing it up every time our leaders meet. Our British leaders always seem to seek validation from American leaders every time they come together and that only makes us look desperate. At the same time it flatters the American ego.
The hard truth is, we value the relationship more than America does because we need America more than America needs us. That's the way of things in the current climate so why make a big deal about it? Does the average American even care? why should we? We are politically obliged to support each other in time of need and that should be enough. We are culturally close, we are friends and allies in all ways essential and regardless of who's in power, I doubt it will change in any meaningful way. We don't have to be America's favourite pals to get what we both want out of the relationship.

[peterlinfield]

Does America really care about the ‘special relationship’? No, never has, never will. It just shows how feeble UK politics is. The only UK Prime Minister who got it right was Hugh Grant in Love Actually.

[BAZ]

Like most of have said here, it only matters when America wants/needs it to I.e military ops, defence etc. Otherwise they couldn’t give one solitary shit about it.

[MichaelNesom]

Please let me assure you as a Canadian, the Americans only have one special relationship, and that is with America.

[Epsilon]

"I think it means a lot more to Brits than it does to Americans" You are conflating what our political class think with what the general public think. Most Brits don't give a crap about this one sided political relationship, they know its a scam and have a much greater desire to be close to Europe.

[-Gramps]

As a Texan that spent 2 years of my childhood in GB as a military brat- yes, we see you as a friend, an ally, & a member of the immediate family! I still communicate with British friends of 1965!

[hectorpascal]

As Britain becomes poorer and less relevant in the world, the relationship remains only in the academic ties of language and history. As far as the USA is concerned, it's like an old uncle, past his prime, remembering his glory days, while dozing in the corner at family gatherings. (AND yes, before anybody comments, I WAS born and bred in the UK)

[KT-djiy]

Suggestion for a topic: Given the current situation in the US, why is it that in the UK there is never a threat of the government "shutting down", whereas in the US it seems to happen fairly often?

[Gnosticware]

Post WWII the US is unique and in a unique position obviously, it's natural that it has a 'special relationship' with all the countries mentioned. Yes the UK because the two are probably the most culturally aligned and due to the US colonies, France of course also due to the Revolution, Lady Liberty etc, Canada is our bestie neighbor, Japan and Germany are two countries who we pulled out of autocracy and enabled them to become global great powers again and are now close friends. All the NATO countries fall under that umbrella. Each relationship is different, and special in its own way. As an American I have warm feelings about all of those countries, for their respective reasons.

China is nothing but a a bad great power demanding undeserved respect.

[jamesheyburn]

I understand that the special relationship transcends the PM/President personal relations. It is operational in three key areas. The nuclear deterrent, special forces, and intelligence

[ObePawnKenobi]

This special relationship Infuriates me. It is total bollocks. UK does as told as and nothing more. We want to be free from Europe but lie down and let US tickle our tummy for a photo opp' at the White House.

[williambrown]

Sadly .. the UK is irrelevant these days.

Look at Indonesia. Just because we speak

Churchill was nearly 100 years ago.

Wake up guys.