Max McGiffen is the Director of Conservative Friends of the Overseas Territories and a former Parliamentary staffer for David Johnston OBE.

Donald Trump is back. The new President and our Prime Minister have not got off to the best start, with accusations that Labour activists ‘interfered’ in the US election by campaigning for Kamala Harris. If you add the scathing critiques of the Prime Minister by close Trump adviser Elon Musk over the grooming gangs scandal, it seems the special relationship is in rocky waters.

There are glimmers of hope. It has been widely reported that Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Trump enjoy a warm relationship, despite Lammy’s previous negative comments about the President. As the prospect of a new administration looms, Britain must prepare to adapt its strategy to maintain and strengthen this transatlantic partnership. There are three key areas – as a Conservative – where I would like to see the two nations collaborate: defence, trade, and public sector reform.

Bolstering defence and security cooperation

The foundation of the special relationship lies in its unparalleled defence and security cooperation.

For this reason, Conservative Friends of the Overseas Territories have called on the Prime Minister to abandon the surrender of the Chagos Islands. It is an issue our fifty MP, MSP and AM champions feel strong about. I welcome that Kemi Badenoch has raised this issue at PMQs.

The Chagos Islands decision seems unsustainable. Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has expressed concern over the deal, which would grant sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, with Britain leasing back the military base Diego Garcia, for US use.

With the rise of authoritarian powers like China in the region, this decision is totally indefensible. As a recent Policy Exchange report noted, Britain has a chance to “withdraw with honour” based on the changes in administrations in both the US and Mauritius. Let us hope they take it.

Building stronger trade ties

Since Brexit, Britain has placed significant emphasis on securing trade agreements. Yet a comprehensive US-UK trade deal remains elusive. With protectionist tendencies rising in the US, innovative solutions are needed to break the deadlock.

President Trump is – at heart – a businessman and the UK should leverage this.

We should focus on sector-specific agreements that align with shared priorities. For example, Britain could emphasise accords on AI, fintech or e-commerce – areas where we are experiencing serious Brexit benefits by not being clogged down in heavy-handed EU regulations. By presenting opportunities for mutual economic growth, such as fostering collaboration between Silicon Valley and London’s thriving tech scene, we can appeal to American interests while showcasing our post-Brexit flexibility.

Civil service reform

Elon Musk has serious ideas on government efficiency. This is not new in the Trump camp. Veterans of the 2016 campaign will remember the ‘drain the swamp’ rally chants, as voters called on Trump to reform Washington. Through the Department of Government Efficiency, they are taking a serious swipe at this, the second time round.

Britain’s civil service is equally bloated. The headcount rose by 100,000 during the pandemic, but public sector productivity is worse than it was in 1997. Though Labour do not seem wedded to the idea, a key aspect of growth is productivity. By making public services more efficient and accessible, the UK and US administrations may find common ground.

A renewed special relationship

As Britain navigates the complexities of a changing global landscape, the special relationship with the United States remains an indispensable asset. By pursuing pragmatic trade policies, deepening defence cooperation and leveraging shared values, the UK can ensure this partnership continues to thrive.

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