As the world grapples with a seismic shift in the international order, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer finds himself at the forefront of a delicate diplomatic balancing act. Faced with the unpredictable and at times antagonistic policies of US President Donald Trump, Starmer has adopted a nuanced approach, seeking to maintain constructive relations while safeguarding the UK’s interests.
The prime minister’s strategy of “mid-Atlantic equidistance” has been put to the test, as he seeks to align the UK economy more closely with the European Union in the aftermath of Brexit, while also preventing the complete abandonment of Ukraine to Russian aggression. Starmer’s measured response to Trump’s threats of punitive tariffs over the Greenland issue has drawn both praise and criticism, with some arguing that the time for quiet diplomacy has passed.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, has painted a stark picture of the challenges facing “middle powers” like the UK and Canada, as the “rules-based order” gives way to a new era of “great-power rivalry.” Carney has called for the creation of a “new multilateral framework” to replace the one being dismantled by Trump’s unilateralist approach.
Starmer, while adept at diplomacy, is first and foremost a political leader, and his duty extends beyond the behind-the-scenes negotiations. As the UK navigates this epoch-defining global crisis, the prime minister must be candid with the British public, “naming the reality” of the situation and building the necessary public support for the difficult choices that lie ahead.
The stakes are high, and Starmer’s ability to balance pragmatism and principle will be crucial in shaping the UK’s role in the emerging international landscape. As the world order undergoes a seismic shift, the prime minister’s steady hand and clear-eyed vision will be essential in guiding the nation through these turbulent times.
