Excl: US gives Britain an ultimatum to boost defence spending or risk the death of the Special Relationship - bombshell leaked letter;
thesun.co.uk/news/6671656/a…
thesun.co.uk/news/6671656/a…
Jim Mattis to Gavin Williamson: “I am concerned that your ability to continue to provide this critical military foundation for diplomatic success is at risk of erosion”.
Mattis tells Williamson you need to spend more than 2% now: “A global nation like the UK, with interests and commitments around the world, will require a level of defense spending beyond what we would expect from allies with only regional interests”.
Mattis hints France is waiting in the wings to become US’s “partner of choice” if UK continues to fall short: “As global actors, France and the US have concluded that now is the time to significantly increase our investment in defense”.
Mattis’s Tier 1 ultimatum: “It’s not for me to tell you how to prioritize your domestic spending priorities, but I hope the UK will soon be able to share with us a clear, and fully funded, forward defense blueprint that will allow me to plan our own future engagement with you”.
