Key facts
- UK Foreign Secretary
- Ed Miliband
- US Secretary of State
- Marco Rubio
- Purpose of visit
- Talks on Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine, Gaza
- Strait of Hormuz status
- Closed since February war
- UK PM
- Andy Burnham
- World Bank meeting
- With President Ajay Banga
Background
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is “essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families” as he travels to Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The strategic sea route, which had been open before the US and Israel launched the war in February, has been a flashpoint in the Middle East conflict. Disruption to trade through the waterway has driven up fuel and food prices.
Miliband was invited to the US capital by Rubio after their recent first meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines, where the senior Labour politician made his international stage debut in his new role.
Current situation
Ensuring free passage of shipping through the vital Gulf waterway is among the issues the pair are expected to discuss, as well as the Ukraine war and tackling “the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza”.
Before his talks with Rubio, Miliband said: “The Government is committed to nurturing our strong, enduring and essential alliance with the US. I am greatly looking forward to my second meeting with secretary of state Marco Rubio, in which we will discuss the ongoing work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, which is essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families.”
He added: “We will also discuss how we can continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine against Russia’s war – as well as the importance of addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and working towards a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.”
| Person | Role | Stated position |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Miliband | UK Foreign Secretary | Reopening Strait essential |
| Marco Rubio | US Secretary of State | Hosting talks |
| Donald Trump | US President | Fossil fuel supporter |
| Andy Burnham | UK Prime Minister | Shift in energy policy |
| Warren Stephens | US Ambassador to London | Miliband 'wrong' in 2016 |
| Ajay Banga | World Bank President | To meet Miliband |
Impacts
The dynamic between Miliband and Rubio will be closely watched given Miliband has in the past been fiercely critical of US President Donald Trump, branding him a racist and a misogynist. The White House was also reported to be concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to hand Miliband the Foreign Office brief.
In his previous role as energy secretary, Miliband was a strong champion of net zero and renewables, while Trump is a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, including opening up North Sea oil, and an avowed opponent of “windmills”. Since taking office, Burnham has signalled a shift in energy policy, earning praise from the Oval Office.
Last month, Washington’s top diplomat in London Warren Stephens said Miliband had been “wrong” in 2016 to call Trump “a racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper” and that “hopefully his views have changed”. The US ambassador also pledged to work with Miliband in his new role, despite their disagreement on green issues.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
In the face of erratic US support, the Foreign Secretary is set to stress that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security and restate the UK’s commitment to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.
After the announcement that Miliband will take the UK’s seat on the World Bank board, he will also meet its president Ajay Banga during his visit to discuss development, climate change and strengthening global resilience.
If the talks lead to a coordinated effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, fuel and food prices could ease for British families. However, if disagreements persist, the disruption to trade may continue, and the cost-of-living pressures could remain. The outcome may also shape the UK-US relationship on energy and climate policy.
Source: halsteadgazette.co.uk
