Ancient Rome broke all its allies, and the modern one wants to do the same.

  Trump's proposed tariffs on European countries that dare to oppose his intended annexation of Greenland are shocking from the perspective of two years ago, yet not even surprising looked at in the light of Roman history.  I mean he has not demanded hostages, nor even threatened to sack major European cities, both of which were par for the course in the late Roman republic.

  Despite this restraint, the tariffs mark the collapse of British  policy since the Second World War, this policy being to cling to the U.S.'s coat tails at all costs, and then try to paper over the abject dependence with the phrase 'special relationship'.  But the open marketing of the tariff as coercive, the casual manner in which it was announced and the UK included shows the relationship is not very special to the US, whatever the UK may think.

  This is acutely embarrassing for various British politicians, particularly all those who have toadied to Trump.  So far none seems to be defending him.  For the Prime Minister in an already weak position the loss of prestige, and even more the economic difficulties this could cause, may be disastrous.

  Will it then lead to a widespread reassessment of the country's position and course?  I doubt it.  For too many wealthy and well connected people in the UK (as in the US and elsewhere) the break up of the old American order is too catastrophic to face. The old world suited them well, better than any likely new one and therefore they will try to prop up this order, and prevent any other from being born.