Corbyn: US not UK's most important relationship
British Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has rejected the so-called “special relationship” between the US and the UK, saying that Washington is not the most important ally of London.
Corbyn said Britain had many important relationships around the world, including with nations such as China and India, and distanced himself from the historic ties with the US that began after World War ll.
During an interview with ITV on Sunday, Corbyn was asked whether the UK’s relationship with the US was the most important. “No. I think there are many important relationships,” he replied.
“The US one is obviously culturally and economically significant and important” he added. “Also the trading relationships we have around the world with obviously the EU, but also with India and China and the rest of the world are very important.”
“Also our relationship with international institutions such as the United Nations is very important.”
The Special Relationship is an unofficial term for the political, diplomatic, economic, military and cultural relations between the United States and the United Kingdom. It was first used in a 1946 speech by former UK prime minister Winston Churchill.
Corbyn acknowledged that having close ties with and influence over the US was important because of America’s “huge military and economic power around the world,” but said one has ever “succeeded in defining what the special relationship meant.”
His comments come after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to London in February following warnings of mass protests.
Trump said Thursday he was postponing next month's trip to open the new US embassy because he did not like the location and cost of the building.
But British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson suggested the decision to cancel the trip was prompted by the strong public and political opposition to Trump in Britain, warning that critics "seem determined to put this crucial relationship at risk."
The prospect of mass protests was raised last month after Corbyn urged his followers to turn out in force if Trump visited the UK.
Prime Minister Theresa May offered Trump a state visit to Britain one year ago, when she became the first foreign leader to visit the White House after his inauguration.
Last month, Trump also provoked a wave of anger and disgust from UK politicians for re-tweeting incendiary anti-Muslim videos posted by Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of the far-right group Britain First.
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