As the representative of the UK, I want to make our cooperation with the US great again

President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office on January 20 will be one of the most anticipated and high-profile of any modern presidency. America’s friends and adversaries are watching and thinking carefully about their relationship with the United States.

Trump’s election-winning ‘America First’ vision predicts a strong America that will be respected in the world and seek peace through strength. America’s partners need to listen to the message sent by the American people and adjust their partnership to work together with America and stand together for common interests.

The smartest among America’s allies see the general character of Trump’s November election victory. In numbers alone – in terms of the popular vote and the inclusion of diverse demographic groups – this victory demonstrated a campaign that responded to the central concerns and needs of the broad American public.

Trump has threatened to tap allies for military shipbuilding if we fail to produce.

Trump’s greatest skill as a political campaigner is tapping into segments of the electorate that feel unheard. Having been at the heart of three successful UK general election campaigns, I know very well that the ability to build this kind of coalition across the country is central and key to political success.

His victory can be seen as representing many working Americans, but life is a struggle; Communities who fear prices at the checkout, illegal immigration accelerating and opportunities for their children shrinking. Concerned workers are either ignored or, worse, marginalized by traditional politics.

Five decades as a politician and later as a businessman taught me to always listen to your constituents and listen to your customer. Alliances between foreign countries should do the same. Foreign relations must listen to these messages and move quickly to deliver them to their citizens. The Atlantic Alliance cannot revel in its glorious past – it must adapt to new threats and technological challenges.

I am listening intently to the message of millions of Americans in November. Seeing the same concerns among the greater British public, such as tackling the cost of living and making our roads safe again, led my party to a landslide victory in July last year.

As I prepare to begin my role as custodian of the decades-long ‘special relationship’, I will reflect on my work with several US administrations – Republican and Democrat – on the US-UK close relationship. I see three main potential areas for expanding the partnership between Britain and today’s America: economic growth, national security and foreign policy realism.

The UK and the US are considered to be the world’s closest defense and intelligence partners. This work is invaluable and keeps millions of Americans and Britons safe every day. But our national security partnership needs to be more clear about how it keeps our people safe.

Sensible European governments think hard about their defense partnership with the US, and they are right to ask if America’s NATO allies can do it, spending more than $150 billion on Ukraine, when Europe has contributed so much to defend against an aggressive and reckless Russia on its doorstep. More to reduce America’s overburden.

The UK has been at the forefront of driving NATO partners to increase national defense spending and will continue to advocate for partners to pay their way.

Growing the economy and raising living standards is high on the UK government’s agenda. The US and the UK are each other’s largest investors, with a combined investment of over $960 billion. Our businesses create more than a million jobs in each other’s countries, and we have a strong and balanced trade relationship worth more than $375 billion.

The United States and the United Kingdom have long been allies in war and peace. FILE: London, England, with the famous landmark Big Ben. (iStock)

Having established an international business in the US and employing Americans in London, I have seen first-hand the synergy created by these relationships. We are innovators and compromise makers. As two western countries with a trillion-dollar technology sector on the planet, we have a lot to do together to invent, develop and industrialize the technologies of tomorrow.

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We are hungry to trade and innovate more with America – but we must do so in a way that provides good, well-paid jobs for all our citizens and keeps us ahead in the global race.

Ultimately, we must work in the world we find, not the world we want. Many of our enemies have become emboldened since I was last in government. Iran has regressed significantly in recent months, but remains the most dangerous power in the region. We must not allow you to go nuclear.

The UK and the US are considered to be the world’s closest defense and intelligence partners. This work is invaluable and keeps millions of Americans and Britons safe every day. But our national security partnership needs to be more clear about how it keeps our people safe.

Over the past 20 years, I have watched closely as the Chinese government has become increasingly aggressive and controlling at home and in many areas, and is now directly challenging Western governments and our values.

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Trump’s direct speech won him a stunning victory in his own country. His straight talk and agreement should be seen as a great opportunity by overseas allies with an entrepreneurial mindset and a real-world approach to solving urgent foreign policy issues. Solutions.

The Trump administration will put the needs of the American people right. But in his closest allies, he will find old allies who are open to new ways of engaging with today’s world — to protect, enrich, and build opportunities for Americans and our citizens.