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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Millie Cooke

UK special relationship with US ‘meaningless’ unless it boosts defence, Hegseth warns

Britain’s special relationship with the United States is “meaningless” unless it “locks arms and shields” with the US and matches its military capabilities, Donald Trump’s war secretary has warned.

Giving a speech in Singapore, Pete Hegseth said that “model allies” who comply with US demands will benefit from arms sales and access to intelligence, while those seen to be “freeloading” on US capabilities will be penalised.

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