British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband convened his first official meeting with U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio on Wednesday at the ASEAN foreign ministers' summit in the Philippines. The discussions occur against a backdrop of recent friction in transatlantic relations.
Miliband, who was appointed Foreign Secretary within the last 24 hours of his trip, is expected to prioritize mending the "special relationship" between the United States and the United Kingdom. Transatlantic ties were significantly strained earlier this year during the Iran war, when initial British reluctance to allow U.S. bombers to strike from British air bases complicated joint operations.
Concerns linger in Washington regarding Miliband's past role in opposing the use of British bases for strikes against Iran. Furthermore, Miliband's commitment to the "Net Zero" agenda, a policy he championed as Energy Secretary, is reportedly at odds with the Trump administration's approach to energy.
Reports also suggest that U.S. officials had privately warned against Miliband's appointment as Foreign Secretary, expressing concerns about his opposition to new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Former President Donald Trump has also publicly criticized the UK government's stance on fossil fuels.
Miliband's past public remarks about Donald Trump, including branding him a "racist" and "misogynist" in 2018 and condemning his "authoritarian tendencies," could also present challenges in his diplomatic efforts.
Adding another layer to the diplomatic landscape, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent critic of Donald Trump, has publicly praised Miliband. Newsom described the new British Foreign Secretary as a "true statesman" and a "smart choice," emphasizing Miliband's understanding of the need for cross-border cooperation on global challenges like the climate crisis and affordability.