UK foreign secretary breaks with US in keynote China speech

The United States has a problem. As China threatens war on democratic Taiwan (a war the U.S. may well lose if it joins), steals vast quantities of intellectual property, and provides Russia political cover for its war on Ukraine, the U.S. needs allies willing to act boldly to defend democratic security and prosperity.

Unfortunately, the foreign minister of America’s closest ally strongly signaled on Monday that any U.K. support for that effort will be limited. James Cleverly did so via his Mansion House address in London. The speech is the U.K. foreign secretary’s keynote address to foreign ambassadors. U.S. Ambassador Jane Hartley surely did not enjoy it.