White House Warns Ed Miliband Must Repair US Ties as 2016 Trump Insults Resurface
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jul 21
White House Warns Ed Miliband Must Repair US Ties as 2016 Trump Insults Resurface
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 21
Summary
White House officials said they are “deeply concerned” by Ed Miliband’s appointment as UK foreign secretary, with one Trump ally warning he has “serious diplomatic repair” to undertake in Washington.
2016 remarks calling Donald Trump “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper,” plus later attacks on his Russia stance, net-zero criticism and support for anti-Trump protests, are driving the anger, according to people close to the administration.
US frustration also reaches back to 2013, when Miliband withdrew support for strikes on Syria, a move critics say left Washington isolated and still colors Republican views of his judgment.
Andy Burnham chose Miliband after ruling him out for chancellor, and the new foreign secretary is expected to reshape the Foreign Office around climate goals and a path back to 0.7% of GDP in overseas aid.
Miliband signaled he would deepen ties with the EU while maintaining Britain’s “essential alliance” with the US, and former Labour minister Bill Rammell said he could still build a working relationship with Trump.