UK not obliged to support every demand of ‘transactional’ US president, minister says

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/16/uk-not-obliged-to-support-every-transactional-demand-trump-us-minister-says

Donald Trump is a “very transactional” president, whose repeated demands on Iran must be seen in this context, one of Keir Starmer’s most senior ministers has said in an unusually blunt UK assessment of relations between the countries.

Asked about the US president’s threats of some sort of retaliation against allies who do not supply ships to try to free up the strait of Hormuz, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said the UK was not obliged to agree to every US request.

After Trump again criticised the UK for a perceived lack of enthusiasm in helping the US-Israeli war against Iran, McFadden said it was important to separate the US president’s “rhetoric” from the more important issues.

In an overnight interview with the Financial Times, Trump reiterated his frustration at the UK for not sending ships to the strait of Hormuz, the vital sea freight passage that has been all but closed by Iranian retaliatory attacks.

383 points · 18 comments · view on lemmy.world

18 Comments

Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz · 73 pts · 142d (1 reply)

Transactional? You think you're getting anything for your compliance?

redsand@infosec.pub · 2 pts · 141d

Only Andrew and that one diplomat have been outed so far. That's something in a way.

Kalon@feddit.online · 45 pts · 142d (1 reply)

US media talks of our allies, as if we have any after the shit that guy plays.

SarahValentine@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 19 pts · 142d

No kidding. At this point our list of "allies" is just a list of countries whose leaders aren't actively fantasizing about bombing us, and it's getting shorter by the day.

KiwiTB@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 142d (2 replies)

That picture is hilarious.

SpicyLizards@reddthat.com · 13 pts · 142d

Left to right...

'Herpy derp' (but I play dumb and get money), 'fuckin gonna kill ya', and 'just shat myself'

blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 142d

Halcyon@discuss.tchncs.de · 20 pts · 142d

You started the war on your own, now deal with the consequences and stop whining that nobody wants to join your stupid endeavour.

rayyy@piefed.social · 18 pts · 142d

The orange pedo felon will treat the UK just like he did those 13 yo girls - offer them gifts and good times, then bone them.

Corporal_Punishment@feddit.uk · 11 pts · 142d

This is the closest I fear we are going to get to someone criticising him.

witty_username@feddit.nl · 7 pts · 142d
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AlexLost@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 142d

Ask what he plans to give you for your help! He would t lift a finger without a bribe, act accordingly.

hemmetti@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 141d

Trump: Europe bad! Europe rip off me! We don’t need Europe! NATO BAD! Europe take all my money! Bad! Trump’s illegal war: US needs help! GIVE ME MORE WAR!

roserose56@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 142d

That's right, if USA doesn't like it, tell them to fuck off.

scarabic@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 142d

While the whole rest of humanity hemms and haws to eventually respond with this kind of limp-dick answer, the White House keep running amok. They started a fool’s war, and are trying to drag others into it. The appropriate response is “go fuck yourself Trump.”

0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 141d
CheeseNoodle@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 141d

transactional? that implies the US has provided anything in return (to any of its allies) for the last decade.

Exeous@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 142d

Trump learn all things not „deal” Friend more good then worker

hemmetti@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 141d

Why Europe do not help? HELP ME OR THEY WILL TALK ABOUT TRUMP-EPSTEIN FILES!

Gates9@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 141d
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