Stewart Wood, former overseas adviser to Gordon Brown, has warned that Theresa May risks creating a fawning relationship with Donald Trump that could turn toxic, similar to Tony Blair's experience after the Iraq war. Wood urged May to adopt a strictly businesslike stance during her meeting with the US president at the White House on Friday.
Other diplomats advised May not to shy away from highlighting differences, including over multilateral bodies like the United Nations and Nato. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson promised May would emphasise the importance of continued US support for Nato, which Trump has described as obsolete, and make the case for the Iran nuclear deal.
Lord Wood said May must keep an appropriate distance for her own political survival, warning that the first pictures of her with Trump would be replayed throughout her premiership. He advised a professional demeanour in style, clothing, and handshakes, focusing on protecting British national interests rather than personal chemistry.
A former senior Foreign Office diplomat cautioned that May must tread a fine line given Trump's comments on torture, refugees, protectionism, and UN funding, which contradict UK foreign policy. The diplomat noted that Nato and Article 5 might be permitted points of difference, as US defence and state secretaries agree with the UK.
Former UK ambassador to Washington Sir Nigel Sheinwald recommended appealing to Trump's commercial interests regarding European security, as Trump believes the US has been exploited by allies. A second Foreign Office veteran said tone was crucial, as Trump is instinctual and issues like Israel define his stance.
