Four big methods Donald Trump will influence the UK – ‘he is acquired us by the brief and curlies’
EXCLUSIVE: One expert said “Trump has got us, and other NATO members, by the short and curlies” and warned that he could “pull the cord on NATO as a whole”
Donald Trump’s presidency in the US is likely to affect people in the UK in four key ways, an expert has warned. Professor Anothony Glees of the University of Buckingham warned that Trump’s “presidency would have a profound impact on UK politics and could, conceivably, change it almost certainly for the worse.“
The professor warned how the new President, returning to the White House after four years out in the cold, is likely to play a part in the lives of Brits – and few of them are likely to spark joy across the Blighty board.
He added: “The impact of Trump on domestic UK politics could be every bit as profound and dramatic as it seems set to be on our foreign and security policy.”
Here are four key ways the Trump presidency could make our lives worse
1) Destabilise the government
Professor Glees said: “There’s no doubt that Trump doesn’t like a ‘Socialist’ Britain and will try to destabilise the Starmer administration. The more Starmer tries to butter Trump up, the weaker we seem and like all bullies, Trump absolutely thrives off weakness.”
This warning comes off the back of multiple attacks on the leadership of the UK from people associated with the new administration in Washington, including Elon Musk, who has called for Starmer to resign, as well as removing his backing of a Nigel Farage-led Reform Party.
2) Force a choice between NHS and NATO
“Trump knows that the UK cannot afford the NHS and a 5% spend on defence right now,” Prof Glees added.
“But he’s got us (and other NATO members) by the short and curlies. If we and others in the West of Europe don’t spend the cash and beef up our security, he’ll simply pull the cord on NATO as a whole. That would be an invitation to Putin to take the post-1997 NATO states over the next few years and probably us as well.
“However, if we do spend that money, it’ll be the end of the NHS as we know it. And that would be the end of the Labour Government.”
3) Setting a new approach to immigration
“The big thing for right now, I think, will be Trump’s tough line on border control and illegal immigration. He’s going to be able to use the mighty US military to deal both with illegal immigration and the South American drug cartels. The mere presence of US troops may deter both but I expect action to take place and lives to be lost,” Prof Glees added.
“Many Brits will say if this can be done in the USA, why can’t it be done in the UK? We’ve just been told 1,000 migrants have crossed since the New Year… Governments are there to deliver security as their primary purpose. If Starmer and Cooper can’t stop the boats coming, they can’t say they’re keeping us safe.
“As to our foreign policy, as I’ve said before, if Trump imposes a bad peace on Ukraine, this will end in disaster for that battered country and probably death for brave, defiant Zelenskyy. But anything that looks like a win for Putin (and I doubt he’d settle for anything less) will impact the UK directly”.
4) Threats to UK farming
“All I’d say is even strong Remainers like Lord Simon McDonald are saying that because the UK imports more from the USA than it exports to it, unlike the EU where it’s the other way round, Trump won’t punish us like he’ll punish the EU.
“He’ll probably impose 10% tariffs on EU goods, crippling the German car industry. He’ll hit Canada with a 25% tariff, we shouldn’t forget we’re partners in the Commonwealth and they share our terrific King.
“However, the end point of any trade deal with the US will be our taking US agrifood and manufactured goods, so the end of British farming and manufacturing.”
