Tariffs are back in the news.  The Trump Administration just announced new duties on much of the world.  That’s fine, but not Great Britain, for heaven’s sake.

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The brilliant Brits expunged French interests in much of the New World following the very costly French and Indian war.  Colonists rejoiced at the British victory.  From Maine to Georgia, protestant settlers were chuffed that Great Britain thwarted the spread of French Catholicism, even singing “Rule Britannia.”

Even our great America First President Trump remains grateful.  Indeed, in his speech at the State Dinner for King Charlie, Trump joyously noted this:

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Tonight, on the eve of our 250th year of cherished independence, we turn to the sovereign embodiment of our British heritage and say sincerely thank you to our friends the United Kingdom for the richest inheritance that any nation has ever given to another [my emphasis].

One way to couch contentious issues, perhaps preempting knee-jerk objections, is with humor.  King Charlie, at the same banquet, delightfully demonstrated this charming technique.  Mindful of President Trump’s assertion that Europe would be speaking German without the U.S. (actually, the war would have lasted much longer without the resolute Brits providing a staging area for Operation Overlord, thereby allowing the Soviets to take even more of Europe as dominoes fall), good king Charlie offered this rollicking riposte:  “If it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French.”

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The freedom from the French is priceless. Just take a look at a world map, comparing former French colonies with British spheres of influence (including once-vibrant Hong Kong for a long time, and Singapore).  For honest historians who aren’t too overwrought with Anglophobe sentiment, our 250th Anniversary Celebrations are a time to offer respect to the brilliant Brits who set us up, and continued to invest and invent in America for many decades after the revolution.

Great Britain’s national identity, including in the Anglo-American revolution in human freedom (the precise sentiment recently expressed by President Trump), isn’t indelible.  As we all know, they are suffering from leftism and unfettered immigration of insurrectionist ingrates.  They are not alone in that, including our own country.  However, they are disproportionate contributors to American Exceptionalism. Not only the obvious government, legal and banking institutions (Alexander Hamiltion won his National Bank argument over Jefferson’s more decentralized approach), but British influence on American culture and values.  

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Less than two months ago, President Trump eloquently said this: 

This land was settled and forged by men, women who bore in their souls the blood and noble spirit of the British here on a wild and untamed continent. They set loose the ancient English lover of liberty and Great Britain’s distinctive sense of glory, destiny and pride … Americans have no closer friends than the British.

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Well, sir, prove your magnificent friendship — repay your rich inheritance.

It was a decent gesture when, in respect to King Charlie, you removed tariffs on Scottish Whiskey. Sir, during our glorious 250th Anniversary Celebrations, it’s time to up the ante.  Some malcontented detractors question whether they remain our closest friends, but our histories remain inextricably tied.  There’s still hope for Old Blighty, so let’s make them First among the Most Favored Nations. Conveying such status would have tariff implications. If the “fair” trading field tilts somewhat towards them, then so be it — that would be magnanimous payback to the nation that bequeathed us the richest inheritance.

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Image generated by ChatGPT.