Ex-Nato chief issues warning on military reliance on US - even after Trump leaves office

Ex-Nato chief issues warning on military reliance on US - even after Trump leaves officeIn a stark warning, Lord George Robertson said that the UK's relationship with Washington won’t return to normal - even after Donald Trump leaves officeCommentsNewsLizzy Buchan Political Editor16:35, 22 Apr 2026Updated 16:41, 22 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesDonald Trump has been scathing about Keir Starmer and the UK(Image: PA)Britain’s military reliance on the US is “no longer tenable”, a former defence secretary has warned.‌In a stark warning, Lord George Robertson said that the UK's relationship with Washington won’t return to normal - even after Donald Trump leaves office.‌The former Nato chief said “long-term trends” such as an increasing focus on China and scepticism of globalisation mean the US would become “more transactional in its foreign policy”, regardless of who was in the White House.‌Speaking at an event at Chatham House, he ramped up his calls for the Government to spend more on defence as the world becomes more unstable.He said Britain must become a “more autonomous military actor”, arguing a “naïve belief” that the US would “always be there” in times of crisis had “led to the diminishment of our own capabilities”. He added: “It’s clear that our high level of military dependence on the US is no longer tenable.”READ MORE: Keir Starmer warns UK must not take eyes off Putin from top-secret Vanguard sub visitREAD MORE: Rachel Reeves hits out at Donald Trump Iran war 'folly' hitting UK familiesView 2 ImagesFormer NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson has become increasingly outspoken about Britain's defence capabilities(Image: Getty Images)‌The so-called special relationship between the US and the UK has come under serious strain after Keir Starmer stood up to Mr Trump's demands to join his war with Iran.The US President has repeatedly attacked Nato, calling it a "paper tiger" and threatening to pull out of the defensive alliance...