White House expresses concern over Ed Miliband’s foreign secretary appointment
The White House is “deeply concerned” about Ed Miliband’s appointment as foreign secretary, with a warning that Donald Trump has not forgotten scathing remarks the former Labour leader has made about him in the past, reports BritPanorama.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been cautioned that Miliband has some “serious diplomatic repair to undertake” in the US, following his promotion to the role on Monday, which has sparked anger from the Trump administration.
Miliband, who previously clashed with Trump over net zero policies, described the president in 2016 as “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper.”
According to a source close to the president, “There’s genuine anger about this appointment.”
The animosity between the two figures has been long-standing, with Miliband stating, “We must do our best at home and abroad to resist the worst of Trumpism.” In 2017, he remarked that Trump had “lowered the bar for idiocy” and later participated in a Stop Trump March in London, criticising the president’s relationship with Russia.
Miliband has dismissed Trump’s social media criticisms of the UK’s stance on oil and gas drilling as “irrelevant”. The president, however, has been highly critical of Miliband’s “net zero zealotry,” alleging that he obstructed the UK from expanding oil and gas operations in the North Sea.
On Miliband’s past remarks about Trump, an administration ally noted: “Trump doesn’t forget. He will not forget. Miliband has some serious diplomatic repair to undertake.” A consultant familiar with both the White House and State Department remarked, “It [Miliband’s appointment] is going down like a lead balloon. The US government no longer takes the UK seriously anymore.”
Furthermore, the consultant added that Miliband is regarded in Washington for “all the wrong reasons,” particularly his opposition to North Sea oil production while supporting imports from Norway.
Despite his long-standing admiration for the US, Miliband’s new role has prompted concern in Washington. Notably, Burnham commented in 2021 that any UK politician who engaged with Trump should be “ashamed.”
In selecting Miliband as foreign secretary, Burnham opted against appointing him as chancellor, aiming to mitigate backlash from more conservative party factions. Part of Miliband’s mandate is to drive reform within the Foreign Office, align with the UK’s climate goals, and restore international aid funding that was reduced under Sir Keir Starmer.
There remains notable discontent in the US regarding Miliband’s tenure as Labour leader, particularly his decision to withdraw support for military action in Syria, which led to significant geopolitical ramifications. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed this decision ultimately enabled Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Johnson remarked on social media, “The failure to stand up to Bashar al-Assad – for which Miliband bears much guilt – led directly to Putin’s first invasion of Ukraine. An appalling choice for foreign secretary. The Kremlin will be delighted.”
Miliband has personal ties to the US, having lived in Boston as a child and later returning to teach at Harvard in the early 2000s. Nevertheless, his appointment raises eyebrows in Washington.
Former Labour foreign minister Bill Rammell expressed optimism, suggesting that Miliband will be able to build a working relationship with Trump, noting that both Sir Keir Starmer and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy managed to improve ties with the president despite previous criticisms.
In a statement after his appointment, Miliband vowed to prioritize relationships with the EU and the US, declaring his intention to advocate for “Britain’s interests” and the values of democracy and freedom on the global stage.
Steve Bannon, a notable Trump ally, reacted strongly, warning that the Trump administration views Miliband’s appointment as detrimental to the “special relationship” between the UK and the US. “Burnham could not care less – he appointed this twit anyway,” he remarked.
The Independent has reached out to Miliband’s office for comment but has yet to receive a response.
