Johnson changes British foreign policy | Currently Europe | D.W.

Great Britain is changing its foreign and security policy after leaving the EU. In view of the increased risks worldwide, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to expand the arsenal of nuclear weapons. In addition, Great Britain wants to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region in order to reduce China’s dominance. According to government documents on future strategy, the United States should be the most important ally of the country. Russia, on the other hand, has been identified as the biggest threat in the region.

A maximum of 260 nuclear weapons is now possible

When presented with a document on Great Britain’s strategic restructuring in Parliament in London, Johnson said, “We must publish the art of dealing with countries with opposing values.” This is the most far-reaching change in UK foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. Johnson raised the cap on the maximum number of nuclear weapons to 180, which was set at 2010, to 260. Warships are also to be replaced by new ones. The upgrade of nuclear defense capabilities is part of an investment in the Armed Forces worth nearly 28 28 billion.

Some states have significantly changed their nuclear weapons, it says in the strategic study. “Increased global competition, challenges to the international order and the proliferation of destructive technologies are all threats to stability.” The security of the country must be guaranteed.

“China and the United Kingdom”

According to the British government, the Indo-Pacific region is emerging as the geopolitical center of the world. “Both China and the UK benefit from mutual trade,” the report said. But the biggest threat to the economic security of China – Great Britain, the world’s second largest economy – is the sixth largest in the world.

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Protest in Hong Kong with Union Jack and the Young Queen (archive photo from September 2019)

Finally, not least, the actions of the People’s Republic of Hong Kong with the former British Crown Colony put a strain on relations between the two countries. Investments by Chinese companies also raised security concerns. “There is no doubt that China is a great challenge to an open society like ours, but if it is in line with our values ​​and interests, we will work with China,” Johnson told the House of Commons.

With aircraft carriers and travel diplomacy

The reconstruction of the area should take into account the shipment of the aircraft carrier “HMS Queen Elizabeth” to the Pacific and Johnson’s voyage to India later this year. As part of this strategy, South Korea, Australia and India have been invited to the G7 summit in Cornwall, UK in June, and the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement is the start of negotiations for access to the DPP. The Prime Minister stressed that Great Britain is associated with NATO and the “Five Eyes” intelligence cooperation with the English-speaking countries of the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

British aircraft carrier “HMS Queen Elizabeth” – here off the west coast of Scotland

Johnson said diplomacy was paramount to him. Great Britain has been involved in Europe since leaving the European Union. Brexit helps the country pursue its own foreign policy. If the interests coincide, the UK will continue to work with the EU. These include the stability and security of the European continent as well as climate policy and biodiversity.

Opposition leader Khair Stormer accused Johnson of undermining the groundwork for a new strategy. “From Europe to the Indian Ocean, this government now has a reputation for violating international law and not defending it,” the Labor leader said. Refers to the period of unilaterally extended concession to Northern Ireland after Brexit. The European Union (EU) has said in a statement that it has no plans to sue.

sti / uh (ap, dpa, rtr)