As we begin 2024, I’m reflecting on the future of the special relationship. In light of inflection points we face in the coming year, and the uncertainties we see in the world, including most recently in the Red Sea where Houthi rebels are endangering freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways, I’m certain the world needs the special relationship now more than ever.
I have been the US ambassador to the United Kingdom for more than 18 months. In that time, I’ve seen up close how our two militaries underpin global security and defend democracy around the world. I know soldiers, sailors, aviators, marines, and guardians from both of our countries operate hand in hand as steadfast Nato allies. I was deeply inspired by a visit to a training site here in the UK where allied militaries trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Our countries are rallying democratic partners in support of Ukraine and providing critical security assistance so Ukraine can defend itself against President Putin’s aggression. The US and the UK cannot afford to take a step back; we must continue to uphold our commitments to Ukraine in 2024 so it can preserve its democracy and deter aggression. This is vital to security for the world at large.
The UK is a global leader on matters beyond Europe, as well. I joined President Biden in San Diego last March, where the US, UK, and Australia announced our decision to support Australia acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarines through the Aukus enhanced security partnership that will strengthen our presence in the Indo-Pacific for decades to come. We are aligned on the challenges we face in the Indo-Pacific, which includes maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait — a matter of global concern. The United States and United Kingdom are also standing up to the People’s Republic of China for its unfair economic practices, atrocities against its Muslim population, and its global campaign of transnational repression activities, including against Hong Kongers. At the same time, we are working with China where our interests align, such as on illicit narcotics and the climate crisis.
Our leaders swiftly responded to the Israel-Hamas conflict. They have travelled to the Middle East and engaged Israeli, Palestinian, and regional counterparts to support Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure that an attack like the one Hamas conducted October 7 — killing more than 1,200 civilians and taking over 200 more hostage — never happens again. They continue to stay focused on efforts to prevent the war from spreading and deter the reckless and destabilising actions by Iran-aligned militants across the region, including the defence of global commercial shipping in the Red Sea. At the same time, our leaders are working to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza, de-escalate the fighting, and make sure Israel complies with international humanitarian law. Together, we are determined to ultimately bring an end to conflict with the goal of a two-state solution.
Just as on matters of international security, our co-operation on economic issues is strong. I’ve been down on the shop floor of American companies whose investments in the United Kingdom have created more than a million well-paid jobs for British workers. During a difficult year for the global economy, as wars and supply chain disruptions continue to roil markets, trade between the United States and the United Kingdom increased by 25 per cent, buffering our people from the worst of global economic headwinds and preserving livelihoods in both countries.
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We need to build on this progress in 2024. I was with President Biden and Rishi Sunak in Washington last June when they issued the Atlantic Declaration, a framework for expanding our economic relationship in the 21st century. It is providing new avenues for co-operation on everything from energy to education, defence to data protection, submarines to spacecraft. And it is strengthening our partnership on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. The US was proud to support the UK when it hosted the first global summit on AI safety. Our two economies are more dynamic and durable when our citizens, businesses, and governments are working together across a range of sectors, including AI.
I am confident that on the biggest challenges facing our world, from climate change to Ukraine and the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom will work together, driven by our common values, interests, and goals. Together, we stand for democracy and liberty, free markets and free expression, human rights, and the right of every nation to its sovereignty and security. Administrations come and go — as they should in healthy democracies — but our common values, interests, and goals have endured, and our partnership has thrived.
So as we look toward a new year, let us re-commit to strengthening the alliance between our two great democracies. In moments of anxiety and turmoil, we must remember what the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom means for prosperity, freedom, and democracy around the world.
