‘TheUK cannot retain its “special relationship” with the United States whilst beingsemi-detached from the European Union’“Success is the abilityto go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm” ‘Sir WinstonChurchill’[1]The United Kingdom (UK) has no closer ally than the United States (US), and the British foreign policy underlines our close coordination with the United States.  These close relations were considerably strengthened by the United Kingdom’s alliance with the US during both World Wars, in the Korean conflict, in the Persian Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and in Afghanistan conflicts, additionally through its part as a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  This has contributed to forming a special relationship with the US.  Within this essay the ‘special relationship’ is defined as a political or technical term between the UK and the United States governments[2].  Semi dethatched is defined as no longer being a member of the European Union (EU) following referendum.  During 2016 a major event was the referendum in the UK on 23 June to withdraw from the European Union, which resulted in the British population voting to leave the EU.  Following the announcement it posed a number of uncertainties, one of these was our ‘Special Relationship’ with the US.In answering the question ofthe UK cannot retain its “Special Relationship” with the US whilst being semi-detachedfrom the EU’ there are 3 key areas that this essay will look at are political,military and economy.  I have consideredthese points because, the two countries continue to have a number offundamental common interests in global political aspects, economic stability,military cohesion and with these structures they are able to cooperate closelyas permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.  This essay will consider the implications onboth sides of the Atlantic and argue that the UK can retain its ”specialrelationship’ with the US whilst being semi detached from the EU, others mayfeel this is a failure by leaving the EU.Is the “Special Relationship” amid Britain andthe US fundamentally damaged? It’s an old alliance based on shared historiesand values, one that has developed the cornerstone of British foreign policyafter two world wars[3]. The element of the special relationship is nothing new, it hasbeen well established since Winston Churchill coined the phrase “specialrelationship” during a lecture tour of American universities in 1945 and hiswords are certainly resonate today.  Thespecialness of the two countries’ relationship has endured, although it couldbe seen as cool at times, this has been particularly difficult when the personalrelationship between the US President and the British Prime Minster wasn’t sostrong.  Whilst the degree of closenessbetween the nations is and has been largely determined by judgments of jointpolitical, trade subsidies, military cohesion and the personal factor havecontinued to have a strong influence. Some may say that the imbalance between the relative power between thetwo nations, may have possibly been one-sided and occasionally the UK has beenmade to appear rather subservient.  Inthe eyes of both nations, this was evident when the then Prime Minister TonyBlair was seen to freely take the acceptance of the Bush regimes’ polices overIraq. This resulted in a certain amount of criticism of the British governmentin the UK and many felt that Britain is tied to closely to the US.  In 2016 there was two main political eventsthat were headline news, the first being Britain voted to leave the EU in Juneafter 43 years of increasingly ambivalent membership was greeted with a mixtureof defiance, fear and jubilation across the continent. The second big politicalevent being on the early hours on 9 November, when Donald Trump took to thestage in New York to declare his victory as the new President of the US.  Some said a political novice, however MrTrump along the way had defeated the most experienced presidential candidate indecades.  The public opinion of thespecial relationship between the UK and US is being further divided amongstboth populations; this was evident and highlighted during the Presidentialcampaign in November 2016.  Throughoutthe campaign President Trump campaigned on “making America great again’. In January 2017 Theresa May agreed to “renew the specialrelationship for this new age” when she met with president Donald Trump.  MPs, including anumber of May’s own Conservative party, had expressed their personal reservationsabout May’s visit given Trump’s previous controversial comments and stances ona range of issues[4].  The UK and the US closely work and frequentlyconsult on foreign policy issues and global problems and share major foreignand security policy objectives. Worryingly as we look to the future there aremany unknowns, on both sides of the Atlantic and the UK post Brexit will driveto sustain global influence and without the EU the UK could find themselveslargely dependant on the US. The ‘Special relationship’ may well be furthertested and could mean a much wider separation than that just of the EU. This nodoubt would be devastating for the UK politically, militarily and moreimportantly financially. This role for the UK as a given global partner to theUS is far more likely to survive following the decision to leave the EU thanwill the UK’s which maybe used as a diplomatic bridge between the US andEurope.Since 1917, well before the ‘special relationship’ was evermentioned or quoted by Winston Churchill, the UK and US have collaborated totriumph in two world wars, two Gulf wars, and during the Cold War.  During the 1980s, the mutual support providedby this alliance has developed to the success of unilateral American andBritish military actions against Libya and Argentina, both of these actionswere resisted by other European allies. Throughout the 1980s, the conclusivedecade of the Cold War, the elimination of Soviet SS-20 missiles from Europeand the removal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan occurred as a consequence ofAnglo-American initiatives that were either opposed or disregarded on thecontinent.  Ever since the well coordinatedterrorist attack in 2001, that made headlines all over the world and became knownas 9/11, the UK has remained beside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan as its mostright-hand and reliable ally in the war on terror[5].  These joint military efforts have been basedupon much of an arrangement of strategic interests with the similar political andlegal culture and values with a world wide view. Also the effective use of intelligencesharing and close practical battlefield collaboration, has been made possibleby the shared use of military equipment and technology.  Both the UK and US have agreed that both defence departments, will now continueto search for increased interoperability across the spectrum of militaryoperations.  The US Defence Strategic Guidance[6]and UK Strategic Defence and Security Review[7]recently reached many common conclusions, including the need for increasedcooperation in dealing with the threats we face.  We are committed to working together, andwith other close allies, wherever possible. The maritime commitment hasbeen strengthened with Secretary Panetta and Secretary Hammond recently signeda Statement of Intent directing the US and Royal Navy to seek ways to betterdeveloped aircraft carrier doctrine and maritime power projection capabilities[8].  On the Land environment both the UK and UScontinue to develop very similar initiatives in order to enhance the alreadyclose ground force relationship however increased training opportunities inEurope and exchanges in the US.  As closeAllies, the US and UK continue to host each other’s forces in order to conducttraining and be prepared to deploy when necessary, and in future conduct currentoperations.  The US presently has over 9,000 personnel stationed in the UK, primarilyon joint Royal Air Force bases such as RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath inSuffolk, where US regiments conduct fighter, transport, logistics and aerialrefuelling operations.  The Joint Analysis Centre at RAF Molesworth is aexample of the cooperation, where British analysts and US monitor the world’strouble areas together.  The four US services continue to send exchangepersonnel to work with the UK armed forces, and exchange both senior and juniormilitary officers in British defence schools. The UK currently has around 800 British personnel in the US. In the Airthe UK is a partner in the development of the Joint Strike Fighter, which is aunique program with each country’s defence industries sharing the developmentof a common future platform that will ensure the US and UK, and other partnersposses the latest technology in air superiority for the next generation.  Our Military cohesion was extended even further in 2014, when theUK and US signed a new agreement that was critical to Brittan’s Trident nuclearweapons system, was signed by British and US officials, the news stated thatthe 1958 UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement has been updated.  This new amendment that will last for 10years, one which will permit the transfer between the US and UK of classifiednuclear information concerning nuclear technology, atomic weapons and controllednuclear material and critical information. At the time the President Obama stated “intends to continue to maintainviable nuclear forces into the foreseeable future” he also mentioned that itwas in America’s interest, to continue to help the UK “in maintaining acredible nuclear deterrent”[9].  The continued close security cooperationbetween the UK and US is probably going to continue, particularly inintelligence sharing. The EU has been traditionally excluded from aspects ofthe conversation of intelligence which has taken place between the Englishspeaking “Five Eyes” states US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand[10].  Evidence and history has shown that the UKand US stand shoulder to shoulder with each otherin order to deter and if necessary, defeat the threats to our common way oflife.  The future does indicate a numberof new opportunities to strengthen this relationship further.  With any newstrategic circumstances, come new reasons to cooperate.  We certainly cannotafford to miss these opportunities.  With both countries recognising thatmany of the problems that we both face can’t be solved alone.That shoulder to shoulder stance, was put in the spotlight and madeheadlines across the world, when on the 23 June 2016 the decision for the UK toexit from the EU was a clear demonstration that history is not linear.  The following day the previous prime misterDavid Cameroon resigned and the UK pound plummeted. The FTSE 100 lostsignificant ground, but then the pound rallied past the previous Februarylevels and the FTSE closed on a weekly high of 2.4%, this was it’s bestperformance in 4 months on what many speculated would be a future of economicgloom.  The previous US president Obamadecided we ‘wouldn’t be at the back of the queue’ after all, and that or‘special relationship’ was still strong. Following the Brexit vote in June 2016, thiswill now allow the UK to charter a new course as a sovereign, it will become afree nation and one which will be able to implement free trade agreements withcountries across the world once the UK exits the EU in 2019.  On the 29 March 2016, the UK changed itshistory by submitting a six-page letter from Mrs May triggering Article 50,which was handed to European Council President Donald Tusk[11].  When the UK leaves the EU in2019 this will open the opportunities for the future of a free trade agreementbetween the UK and US. Currently the UK has the fifth largest economy and theUS the largest in the world respectively. Just seven days after taking office Teresa May was the first foreignleader to visit Donald Trump after being elected for president[12].History has shown us that in the past the economic polices of the UK and the UShas been seen as a similarity since the 1970s. The UK economic growth has heldup netter than expected in the 12 months following the Brexit vote, in thelonger term, the UK economy show continue to grow to around 2%, followingBrexit. Currently when it comes to UK exports to a single nation, the US is theUK’s largest export destination with a current market worth some £3.5 billion.Equally, the US is the UK’s third biggest after China and Germany, procuringsome £2.9billion of products form the US. In my mind there does appear to be two key thoughts that Brexit ishaving much less of an effect and impact in the US. Firstly the relativeisolation of the US economy, as only 15% of GDP is related to international trade.Secondly, in the last 18 months investors in the US were anticipating a rise inthe interest rate, which would have had a negative impact. Following Brexit andthe global uncertainty caused by the outcome, the Federal Reserve System putthe increase on hold.  This has allowedthe US markets plenty of opportunity to go even higher[13].  For the future theUK and the US should persist exploring areas where the alignment of bilateralregulatory systems can lead to new business opportunities and reduce costs ofunnecessary regulation.  The UK and USGovernments should also increase collaboration in higher education, especiallybetween our world-leading universities, this would allow for our countries tobuild on their joint leadership role and pull together on the great economicpotential linked to it.  The UK and theUS economies are described by large and growing services sectors and shouldexplore ways of enhancing trade in services, particularly in business services,which are key input for global supply chains[14].Insummary, If Britain’s world influence weakens, and the US continues to changeits priorities away from Europe to other more surging geopolitical challenges,the special relationship could face a low-spirited future. The UK’svaluableness to the US could increase if the EU were to acquire a much moreactive global position. It is true trade deals will be forged with the USfollowing the semi-detached status from the EU, and clearly no longer part ofthe EU economy. There is no doubt It will have a much weaker negotiating powerand gravitational pull than previously held, thus relying on the proven’special relationship’ in order to take the alliance forward and beyond 2019.The‘Special Relationship’ has been the world’s most powerful bilateral partnershipfor over 70 years and is fundamentally important to both London and Washington.It has played a vital role in the defence of the free world since World War IIand has been instrumental in advancing economic freedom across the globe. The UK and US has built a ‘specialrelationship’, which was formed and built well before any mention of the UKleaving the EU. The UK canretain its ‘special relationship’ by working closely with the US, we continueto set an example for others and will persist to deliver a basis for furthercollaboration with our Allies and partners around the world, which includethrough NATO, in the future years to come. Bibliographyhttp://transatlanticrelations.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/HFAC-US-UK-testimony-Feb-1-2017-dh-final.pdfhttps://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/planning-post-brexit-britain-s-place-global-stagehttps://uk.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2016/03/why-britain-should-end-special-relationship-ushttp://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2017/03/theresa-mays-article-50-letter-what-she-said-and-what-she-meanthttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/can-the-special-relationship-survive-outside-the-eu-7107966.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/31/2016-review-world-events-changed-history/http://www.nationalreview.com/article/436687/brexit-us-british-military-cooperationhttps://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/14/joint-fact-sheet-us-and-uk-defense-cooperationhttp://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Publications/2015_National_Military_Strategy.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/575378/national_security_strategy_strategic_defence_security_review_annual_report_2016.pdfhttps://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3846.htmhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-38778452/may-meets-trump-three-key-thingshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39431428http://www.economywatch.com/economy-business-and-finance-news/the-uk-and-the-us-same-problem-different-results.07-07.html?page=fullThe economic impact of ‘Brexit’https://www.ft.com/content/9a5cd3ee-4acc-11e7-a3f4-c742b9791d43Moving Forward – The future of the UK-US economic relationship[1]The Quotation page 2087[2] Oxford bibliographies[3] The New statesman, Mar2016[4] The guardian 26 Jan2017[5]Nationalreview.com/article/436687/brexit-us-british-military-cooperation[6]jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Publications/2015_National_Military_Strategy.pdf[7]National_security_strategy_strategic_defence_security_review_annual_report_2016.pdf[8] Whitehouse joint-fact-sheet-us-and-uk-defense-cooperation[9]Theguardian.com/world/defence and security 29 Jul 14[10] The Independent 28 Jun16[11]bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39431428[12]bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-38778452/may-meets-trump-three-key-things[13]woodfordfunds.com/economic-impact-brexit-report[14]https://www.babinc.org/moving-forward-future-uk-us-economic-relationship/Get Help With Your EssayIf you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help!Find out more