
Best of the Spectator Quite right!: Trump, Greenland and the special relationship 'myth'
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Jan 21, 2026 This week, the hosts tackle the unraveling of the special relationship between Britain and the U.S., sparked by Trump's controversial actions regarding Greenland and the Chagos Islands. They explore whether British conservatives are losing faith in Trump and debate the myth of this so-called special bond. The discussion delves into Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform UK, raising questions about its implications. They also critique Britain's past reliance on America, emphasizing the need for a flexible, independent foreign policy focused on national interests.
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Greenland Revealed The Relationship's Fragility
- Donald Trump's actions over Greenland exposed the fragility of British affection for him and made him widely unpopular in Britain.
- Michael Gove argues that impulsivity and transactional instincts in US policy now force Britain to reassess the Atlantic alliance.
Transactional Volatility Undermines Trust
- Gove highlights Trump's impulsive reversals like on Chagos as evidence of transactional unpredictability.
- Such volatility undermines Britain's ability to rely on consistent US backing.
Cold War Memory Warps Current Judgement
- Nostalgia for the Cold War Atlantic alliance shapes many Britons' pro-US sentiments.
- Gove notes this reverence complicates judging current American unpredictability objectively.



