Concerns Over Intelligence Sharing Amid Shifting US Foreign Policy
UK security service officials are increasingly seeking reassurances regarding the manner in which intelligence is utilized and communicated by their US counterparts. This comes in light of rising apprehensions surrounding President Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy shifts. According to The i Paper, informal discussions have been held between UK and US officials to alleviate concerns and preserve the longstanding agreement on intelligence sharing. Two sources familiar with these discussions confirmed this development.
One official expressed worries that sensitive intelligence might be leveraged as a bargaining tool by President Trump or unintentionally disclosed during his negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “It ultimately comes down to the chiefs of both sides discussing what information should and should not be briefed to Trump,” they noted. “The primary concern is that he might inadvertently disclose something he shouldn’t.”
A US intelligence official corroborated the discussions, emphasizing that these talks were “strictly informal” and aimed at maintaining essential communication lines during a period characterized by heightened uncertainty.
UK Security Fears Regarding Trump’s Intelligence Chief
Despite the recent meeting between Keir Starmer and President Trump being viewed as a success in strengthening the special relationship between the two nations, the erratic nature of the Trump administration is causing significant unease. Earlier in the week, it was reported that a senior White House official suggested the possibility of expelling Canada from the crucial Five Eyes intelligence alliance as Trump threatens to impose tariffs and designate Canada as the 51st State.
The Five Eyes alliance, which includes the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has served as a cornerstone of Western defense unity against global threats since its establishment in 1941. This alliance facilitates the sharing of highly classified intelligence, enabling member nations to identify and combat national security threats ranging from terrorism to cybercrime.
Reports indicate that White House officials have pushed for Canada’s removal from the Five Eyes alliance, a notion that alarmed many within intelligence communities. Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s closest advisors, was reportedly advocating for this drastic step, which has been described as “by far the most successful intelligence-sharing arrangement in world history.” Although Navarro later distanced himself from this suggestion, the mere consideration of such a move sent shockwaves through intelligence circles.
A former senior US intelligence official remarked that the recent developments, particularly the withdrawal of long-term security support for Ukraine, will compel members of the Five Eyes alliance to reassess their relationships with the US. “Our relationship with Canada and the UK is intricately tied to the entire NATO structure, which has underpinned decades of opposition to Soviet and subsequently Russian expansion and aggression,” they stated. “The apparent embrace of Russia, along with the rejection of Ukraine, raises fundamental questions: Can we be trusted? Are we still allies?”
Another US intelligence official expressed that if they were serving in UK intelligence, they would be inclined to withhold “anything sensitive” from the current US administration. “Most US-UK information sharing is case-specific and relies heavily on personal relationships. For routine requests, such as subscriber information to a phone number, I don’t foresee changes. However, beyond the ordinary, I would be reluctant to share anything,” they added.
Understanding Five Eyes and Its Significance
The Five Eyes alliance is an intelligence-sharing coalition involving the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has been pivotal to national security for nearly a century. Originally established in the aftermath of World War II between the UK and the US, it later expanded to include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, becoming one of the most intricate and far-reaching alliances in Western history.
This agreement facilitates the secure transfer of both classified and non-classified information from a variety of sources, including intercepted communications, military intelligence, and geospatial data. Various Five Eyes listening posts are strategically located around the globe, including the Waihopai Station in New Zealand, Ayios Nikolaos Station in Cyprus, and Pine Gap in Australia, the latter being a CIA-led satellite station crucial for gathering intelligence on China.
The alliance has been foundational to the “special relationship” between the UK and US, characterized by a significant number of embedded US National Security Agency (NSA) officials working at the UK Government’s Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) to foster deep cooperation in sharing signals intelligence.
Concerns that US intelligence cooperation could be used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations stem from broader unease regarding several of Trump’s appointments to key security positions. Specifically, the selection of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI)—a role that entails preparing daily intelligence briefings for the President and overseeing all 18 US intelligence agencies—has heightened fears surrounding intelligence sharing with the US. Gabbard, a former Army reservist with no prior intelligence experience, has previously articulated views that align with Russian perspectives on its security concerns regarding Ukraine.
Matthew Dunn, a former MI6 intelligence officer, noted that the threats to security arrangements with Canada will lead the UK and other allies to approach the US with heightened caution to safeguard sensitive information. “Whether the notion of the US expelling Canada is mere posturing or not, it’s clear that the matter isn’t solely in US hands,” he commented. “The UK and its allies will likely begin to significantly limit meaningful intelligence sharing with agencies like the CIA and NSA.” Dunn further emphasized that the safety of sources utilized by UK intelligence will be a major concern, prompting officers to seek assurances that their agents’ intelligence will not be disclosed to US officials. “Trust between agencies like MI6 and the CIA is at an all-time low,” he concluded. “Solid working relationships between intelligence officers in both agencies will be increasingly challenging due to the new US regime.”
In light of intelligence agreements, a substantial contingent of officials from the NSA is embedded within the UK’s GCHQ. Dunn warned that deteriorating relations between the two nations could necessitate the temporary withdrawal of US personnel from the spy headquarters in Cheltenham. However, a government spokesperson dismissed claims that NSA staff would be asked to leave GCHQ, stating, “The UK-US intelligence sharing relationship has bolstered the security of both nations for many years, and our collaboration with American partners will continue under the new US administration.”
John Foreman, the UK’s Defence Attache to Moscow until 2022, emphasized that Starmer must continue to articulate the “mutual benefit” of the existing intelligence and defense relationship to persuade Trump that a deeper alliance will enhance the national security of both countries. “The entire system relies on trust, which has been established since the war,” he explained. “If that trust erodes, it will impact both UK and US national security; this relationship is reciprocal, and Europe cannot simply replace it.”
The US Embassy in London was contacted for a statement.
