On its own, the UK has limited resources and political bandwidth to withstand bullying from any direction, let alone from its allies. The very core of its defence strategy, on nuclear weapons and intelligence, is primarily intertwined with the US.

The conclusion is inescapable: now is the time for the UK to reinforce, not wreck Europe’s security relationships, both through the European pillar of NATO and through cooperation with the EU. That means developing its own military capabilities as the US pulls back, as well as exploring a UK role in potential decision-making bodies such as a European security council.

A customs union is not a serious offer, in these circumstances, for addressing how trade can be weaponised against us. Labour should be open to renegotiating all barriers to cooperation – including integration with the single market in a Swiss-style deal.

The UK cannot play at being an economic rival to the EU while the machinations of Trump, Putin and Xi require us to be the closest of strategic allies. The UK’s future with Europe is its future national security. That’s the reality we must now embrace.

In the face of Trump’s threats, Britain’s best path is clearer than ever: hurry back to Europe

Can be ‘close’ to EU, just cannot have them deciding who comes in and out, who one can trade with, and demanding payments while most others have their hand in the pot. Neither of the main players should have to put up with any of that.

The USA under the rule of Trumpist fascism is not only no longer the leader of the free world -- it's no longer in the free world at all.

The tricky part for burned allies like the UK I suppose is whether the USA ever turns back from this dystopian change and if so, how long will that take? But even so the USA will still be best case fairly labeled as UNRELIABLE indefinitely.