US-UK:Friends with Benefits

“The rock upon which all dictators this century have perished” George H.W. Bush

By: Kevin Graf

The IssueThe US has had a unique

relationship with the UKThey have been our closest ally

since 1890s

History of Relationship Shared Common Law heritageMutual economic investmentsDiplomatic and security ties

Common Law HeritageAmerica was founded on British

idea of a law based state

Common HeritageEnglish speaking countries share

common values and beliefs

Mutual Economic Investments

Mutually reduced role of government between the two countries economically

US invests in UK over 300 billion dollars (30% more than the second leading country)

US-UK trade services mostly which makes them our biggest trade partner

Diplomatic & Security TiesAllies in both WWI & WWIIWinston Churchill and FDR

realized importance of a close military alliance

US defense companies are commonly in competition for UK military contracts

Diplomacy Cont…..Strategic allies in information

and technologyUS has given the UK nuclear

technologies that have surpassed other European powers

Both founders of many international organizations such as NATO, WTO and the G-8

Problems with the “special relationship”European integration has made

it more difficult for the UK and US to be in a closed relationship◦Britain has lost some sovereignty

with formation of the EUKyoto Protocol and Ottawa

ConventionIraq warUK is becoming more anti-

American

SolutionsReduce the need of US support

by relying more on fellow EU states

Less military interaction and support from the UK

My planContinue a strong economic

relationshipThe United States could use the

UK as an ally to ensure US interests in the EU◦The UK is our access point to the

rest of Europe