【Trump has been attacking Starmer, British officials retort】
Over the past two weeks, Trump has been complaining and attacking the British Prime Minister, openly stating that he is very disappointed in him. According to Trump's previous thinking, most NATO countries are unreliable, with the exception of the UK, which he believed would definitely come to help the US in the future. In fact, this idea of Trump is not entirely wrong, because in the past, when fighting overseas, the UK always followed the US. For example, in 2003, when the EU strongly opposed the war in Iraq, the UK still sent troops to join the US.
Because of this, during last year's trade negotiations, Trump gave the UK a 10% tariff treatment, far exceeding Japan, South Korea, and the EU, which had to offer huge investments to get a 15% tariff treatment.
But this time, when it came to Iran, Trump redefined his perception of the UK. This so-called "most reliable ally" actually retreated at a critical moment. Trump repeatedly stated that the UK refused to provide help to the US at the very beginning of the war. When Trump called on Europe to send warships to the Persian Gulf for escort missions and to reopen the Hormuz Strait, the UK's response once again disappointed Trump. Starmer privately told Trump: they would not send warships, but might help with mine sweeping.
Seeing the UK being so unhelpful, Trump was really furious, and he frequently complained in public, even calling the British Prime Minister weak. British Cabinet official McFadden publicly stated: the UK has no obligation or need to unconditionally support every action of the US. The implication was: the UK is an independent sovereign country, not a "vassal state" of the US.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859902536836227/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.