Labour MP Calls for Urgent European Realignment as Trump Threats Escalate
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Labour leader Keir Starmer met in Tirana, Albania on 16 May 2025, highlighting the growing importance of European diplomatic engagement. This encounter underscores the critical juncture at which Britain finds itself, facing unprecedented challenges from the Trump administration's foreign policy shifts.
The Illusion of Shared Values with Trump's America
Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, argues that the concept of "shared values" with Donald Trump's administration has become as useful as a chocolate teapot. Countries worldwide are scrambling to adjust their strategic positions, with Canada announcing trade realignment towards China and Europe considering counter-sanctions. For the UK, Creasy insists there is only one viable path: to accelerate efforts to rebuild Britain's future within European frameworks.
Recent weeks have seen NATO suffer what Creasy describes as "life-changing injuries", following repeated signals from Washington. From Trump's anti-European National Security Strategy to the harassment of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the White House, the message is clear. When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time and act accordingly, she asserts.
The Perils of Emotional Responses and Unilateral Disarmament
Some responses to the Trump threat risk making a bad situation worse. Green party leader Zack Polanski has called for evicting US bases from British soil and "ditching Trident – and fast". He claims this could be done without undermining Ukraine or NATO, while still confronting Putin's imperial ambitions.
However, Creasy argues that emotional reactions will do little to prevent Trump from negotiating with Russia over Ukrainian heads. Scrapping Trident would represent the precise opposite of what European allies need, abandoning a key component of Britain's security commitment and leaving Putin with only the French nuclear arsenal to contend with should his ambitions expand across Europe. What sounds bold in Green party social media echo chambers would not survive the horrified response from German or Polish counterparts to unilateral British disarmament.
Beyond Trump: The Broader Pressure on European Security
Progressives make a grave mistake by thinking pressure on Europe comes solely from Trump. Back in 2011, Barack Obama's defence secretary Robert Gates warned that Americans would lose patience if Europeans didn't increase defence spending. Today, it is the size of China's military and potential Asian conflicts – not Russia and European defence – that drives Washington's thinking among both Democrats and Republicans. This fundamental realignment will persist regardless of future administration changes.
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump met at the Sharm El Sheikh peace summit in Egypt on 13 October 2025, highlighting the complex diplomatic landscape Britain must navigate.
Britain's Limited Resources and the Need for European Reinforcement
Alone, the UK possesses limited resources and political bandwidth to withstand bullying from any direction, particularly from allies. Britain's defence strategy – especially regarding nuclear weapons and intelligence – remains primarily intertwined with the US. The UK has reportedly promised up to 7,500 troops to monitor a hypothetical peace in Ukraine, yet deploying even this number would stretch the British army to its limits.
The inescapable conclusion: Britain must now reinforce, not wreck, Europe's security relationships through both the European pillar of NATO and enhanced cooperation with the EU. This means:
- Developing independent military capabilities as the US pulls back
- Exploring UK roles in potential decision-making bodies like a European security council
- Labour leading the charge for new alliances rather than being dragged into them
Connecting Security and Post-Brexit Trade Realities
Brexiters have long treated defence and trade as separate issues, but Trump has proven this wrong by using economic sanctions to pursue national security ambitions. Britain must now connect the dots between its security and post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Not only does Britain face tariffs, but the US also demands alignment with American trade standards, further diverging from Europe. Capitulating to these demands would constitute self-harm, particularly as Trump demonstrates how little his past trade deal promises are worth.
The European Commission's Hardball and Britain's Response
This is no moment for half-hearted approaches to national interest, especially as European allies know how to play hardball. The European Commission – encouraged by some of Britain's closest allies – demanded substantial UK contributions to join the Security Action for Europe scheme (Safe) for joint EU defence projects, leading Britain to back away. This status quo is unsustainable.
Britain must break the cycle of posturing and urgently resume Safe talks for mutual benefit. Furthermore, a customs union alone cannot adequately address how trade might be weaponised against the UK. Labour should remain open to renegotiating all cooperation barriers, including potential single market integration through Swiss-style arrangements.
The Progressive Imperative for Bold European Engagement
While caution might tempt some to hope tensions blow over, true progressive politics demands bolder approaches. As others seek electoral opportunity by deriding NATO or fixating on Trump, constituent security requires realism and boldness regarding EU reset.
Britain cannot simultaneously play economic rival to the EU while the machinations of Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping necessitate becoming Europe's closest strategic allies. The UK's future with Europe represents its future national security – a reality Britain must now fully embrace as it navigates this precarious global landscape.
