The phrase “special relationship,” historically used to describe the bond between the U.S. and U.K. since World War II against Nazi Germany, is often credited with being cemented during the Cold War through the strong alliance of President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
This week, former and current diplomats, government officials, and foreign policy advisors convened in London to commemorate what would have been Thatcher’s 100th birthday, and to reflect on her partnership and friendship with the late U.S. president.
The Reagan-Thatcher alliance established a precedent that has transcended political parties and national leaders, even during periods when the U.S. and U.K. encountered clear differences.
“They were, in a way, political soul mates. This was not a partnership born of obligation,” Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, remarked to Fox Digital.
Ryan clarified that a key factor in their relationship’s success was their existing rapport before assuming their respective national leadership roles, alongside a shared commitment to economic revival and combating communism.
“The personal connection elevated it beyond a mere transaction; it fostered a bond of extraordinary trust, evident in its enduring legacy,” stated Ryan, who also served as Reagan’s Chief of Staff from the late 1980s. He added, “Moving forward, I believe it stands as an excellent precedent.”
While the Reagan-Thatcher partnership is largely recognized for its staunch anti-communist stance, its pressure on the Soviet Union, and its role in concluding the Cold War, experts convening in London this week contended that, perhaps more importantly, it forged an enduring commitment for subsequent leaders to uphold the U.S.-U.K. alliance.
The U.S.-U.K. relationship has not always been without its challenges, exemplified by conservative objections to the replacement of a Winston Churchill bust with one of Martin Luther King Jr., initially during the Obama administration and again under President Joe Biden—both decisions later reversed by President Trump. Following Trump’s election earlier this year, apprehension regarding the “special relationship” grew. His initial actions back in the White House, such as imposing significant tariffs and adopting a critical stance toward NATO, led some to fear a lean toward American isolationism.
Nevertheless, both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump have committed to maintaining a constructive relationship.
Trump has often cited his Scottish heritage as a factor in his affection for the U.K. Ryan further asserted that the U.S.-U.K. partnership is grounded not only in their shared past but also “inherent in the DNA” of both countries, tracing back to the British colonies before the American Revolution.
Ryan observed, “[Both leaders have] attributed additional importance to the special relationship, and it is evident that they are both actively cultivating it.” He added, “Observers have noted that Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have managed to establish a positive rapport, offering a model for others to follow.”
The U.S.-U.K. relationship is again at a crucial juncture, not merely due to the political divergence between Trump and Starmer, but because both nations confront the most significant threat to the West since the Cold War, originating once more from Moscow.
Both Thatcher and Reagan successfully engaged with Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last leader, yet the subsequent post-Cold War peace proved to be less enduring than the prolonged geopolitical conflict that arose after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump’s repeated efforts to engage diplomatically with Putin have sparked concern, especially given Russia’s minimal action to curb its war objectives.
Security analysts are questioning whether Putin is strategically leveraging Trump by offering pleasantries and agreeing to meetings, thereby appearing to accommodate the president’s desire to end the conflict, despite showing no tangible commitment to achieving it.
On Thursday, Trump and Putin once more consented to an in-person meeting, following an initial encounter in August that was characterized as “extremely productive.”
Despite these discussions, the concrete outcomes of the meeting remain ambiguous, as Russia intensified its aerial assaults on Ukraine instead of halting military operations.
While Starmer had praised Trump’s initial effort to meet with Putin, he has not yet publicly addressed the second meeting announced on Thursday, and Fox Digital was unable to secure immediate comment from Number 10.
Ryan acknowledged significant distinctions in the present threat from Russia faced by the U.S. and U.K., but expressed, “I do believe both nations comprehend the danger Putin presents, and with our established close relationship, we can ideally be united and allied in confronting it.”