About America Now! A Special Relationship?
In April 2026, The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee published its report, ‘Adjusting to New Realities: Rebalancing the UK-US Partnership’, in which it claimed ‘that the UK must reframe its relationship with the US and dismiss previous sentimentality about a “special relationship”.’
The international order of Trump 2.0 has clearly shaken the British establishment, but is this geopolitical realignment simply the Westminster class coming to terms with what many cultural, social and political writers and thinkers on transatlantic relations have long maintained. Is the history of the past 250 years of Anglo-American relations better described in terms of ambivalence, or even rivalry, than intimacy? Join our experts from across history, literature and political science to consider what, if anything, is left of the ‘special relationship’, and when, if ever, it really was that special.
The event is part of “America Now!”, a series of live events exploring the current state of the USA and its place in the world. In a world of hot takes these discussions offer some much-needed deep dives, giving expert insight into some of the most pressing or peculiar aspects of modern American life – from the Supreme Court to "Cowboy Carter", and from the politics of the White House to the politics of "The White Lotus".
About the Eccles Institute
The Eccles Institute builds, curates and preserves the Americas and Oceania contemporary collection at the Library and champions knowledge and understanding of these regions through a rich programme of fellowships and awards, cultural events, research training, guides to the collections and initiatives for schools.
For more information about the Institute and our collections, visit our webpage or contact eccles-institute@bl.uk. To see more events relating to the Eccles Institute, visit our events page.
Venue opening information
This event takes place in the British Library Knowledge Centre.
Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk
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