Eamonn Holmes mocks US and UK's ‘special relationship’
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Former advisor to George W. Bush Professor Colleen Graffy spoke to GB News’ Eamonn Holmes about the “special relationship” between the two nations, suggesting that the UK was “mocking” this union over the Northern Ireland protocol issue. Professor Graffy said the UK and the US need to be constantly “working at” their alliance, especially at a time when the West is facing an “existential threat” from Russia regarding the brutal invasion of Ukraine. It comes as new Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke to US President Joe Biden about the importance of the Good Friday agreement yesterday in their first engagement since Ms Truss began her premiership in Downing Street.
Prof Graffy said: “Well, first of all, I need to take issue with your mocking the special relationship. I think I need to take issue with that. You suggest it never really existed and it does not exist.”
Mr Holmes said: “Are you really saying it existed under Barack Obama? And, I mean Donald Trump, he was in love with the Queen, but that was about it.”
Prof Graffy said: “Well, what you are suggesting is that it is only about the head of state. It is about the entire US and UK governments, and the special relationship we usually say in the same breath because we have shared values.
“And before you eye roll, let me just say it is incredibly important in this day and age that we have shared values. I mean, at one stage you could think it was a bit of hookey but now we have an existential threat with Russia invading another country.
“These shared values for rule of law and democracy, we take them for granted. We think they are going to be there forever and they are not.
“We need to be [constantly] working at it and unless we have like-minded relations that care about these things then the entire international world legal order could go under.”
Mr Holmes said: “Collen, I stand corrected. I am simply saying to you there is a special relationship when it suits the USA, and it does not suit them on trade deals, for instance.
“It suits them when it comes to security but it does not suit them when it comes to trade deals.”
The US President stressed the importance of reaching an agreement with the EU over post-Brexit legislation on Northern Ireland in his first phone call with the new Prime Minister.
The transatlantic relationship could be strained if Liz Truss pushes ahead with the plan to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, with Joe Biden proud of his Irish roots and taking a keen interest in the issue.
According to the White House’s account of the call, the two discussed their “shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the importance of reaching a negotiated agreement with the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol”.
The White House said the leaders also “discussed the importance of continued close cooperation on global challenges, including supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, addressing the challenges posed by China, preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon, and securing sustainable and affordable energy resources”.
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A Downing Street spokeswoman said the pair reflected on the “enduring strength” of the special relationship between the UK and US.
“The Prime Minister looked forward to working closely with President Biden as leaders of free democracies to tackle shared challenges, particularly the extreme economic problems unleashed by Putin’s war,” she said.
“The Prime Minister and President Biden reflected on the enduring strength of the special relationship. They agreed that the partnership between our countries, fortified by our shared values, has been crucial for defending and advancing freedom and democracy in the world.
“They agreed to build on those links, including by furthering our deep defence alliance through Nato and Aukus.”
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