A huge relief today at the change of US President and a return to some sort of orthodox government. Now pre-2016 US in international relations wasn't easy for the world, as post-2020 won't be. But it will be normal. And expect normality... and you can see where I'm going here...
A UK government trying to cozy up to the new administration is I suspect going to be asked some pretty tough questions about the UK's present and future - starting with Northern Ireland and Scotland, and then our neighbourhood.
Because the US will expect support from the UK on the major global issues such as China. That's the nature of the post-war relationship. But our primary role is in our region. The US doesn't expect South Korea to influence Europe. What is the UK going to do in Europe?
If I'm the new US administration I want to know if the UK can influence France and Germany over, for example, Russia policy. As well as making sure we're going to stick to the Northern Ireland protocol. So what's the UK government answer to that?
Trade is one where the US as well as UK and EU have difficulties. Does the US maintain long running trade conflicts with the EU, in which case the UK is well placed for a US trade deal? Or seek some kind of resolution to focus on China. More on this later.
But mostly if I know the sort of officials returning to the US administration it is going to be an expectation of the UK coming out of our Trump-lite funk and gripping reality. With a lot of sympathy for what the previous PM said today. Big challenge for the UK government.
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