When Donald J Trump is sworn in on 20 January as the 45th President of the United States, the UK needs to make a choice. Trump’s unique and unpredictable blend of belligerence and isolationism means the US can no longer be relied on to defend the liberal, rules based international order in place since the end of the Second World War. This could mark the end of an era for UK foreign policy. But at this pivotal moment, Britain is spending all its political capital on Brexit. It has very little time or money for anything else. But that is precisely why now is the time for some tough decisions, to choose what parts of that international order we care enough about to preserve.

Our decision is made harder because the very forces that brought Trump to power convulsed British politics last June. Trump has questioned longstanding alliances and crucial trade agreements, but by voting to leave the EU, so have we. Trump has angered neighbouring states with promises to deport migrants and build a wall, migrants to the UK will soon be in legal limbo and our Prime Minister has pledged to slash migration.

Trump’s warm words for President Putin and his comments questioning NATO’s mutual defence treaty could fast erode its deterrent force unless Trump makes a clear commitment to NATO allies. NATO has been a cornerstone of our national security for nearly 70 years and, given the quality of our armed forces and the scale of our investment we have a seat at the table. But are we really prepared to fight Russia if Putin does to Estonia what he did to Crimea? Or is our post-EU role in NATO even more important for strengthening European alliances?

Read the full article at the Huffington Post