Britain's heavy reliance on the United States for military support is 'no longer tenable', according to former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson. He argued that the UK must become more autonomous as the 'special relationship' with Washington shows signs of long-term divergence.
Speaking at a Chatham House seminar, Robertson highlighted US President Donald Trump's unilateral actions—including the attack on Iran, tariffs on allies, and threats to acquire Greenland—as evidence of growing differences between Westminster and the White House. He described the diplomatic tone from Washington as having reached a 'historic low'.
Robertson stressed that the UK must 'rapidly pivot' towards becoming a more independent military actor, working more closely with European allies. He called for defence spending to rise to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, in line with Nato targets, and warned that Germany is on track to outspend the UK on defence by 2029.
The former defence secretary's comments come amid a row between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury over an £18bn funding gap in the UK's ten-year defence investment plan. A cross-party Lords committee, which Robertson chairs, also published a report stating the special relationship is 'under greater strain than at any point since the second world war'.
