The appointment of Ed Miliband as the new foreign secretary has elicited a range of reactions from both the United Kingdom and the United States, highlighting existing tensions and differing views about the future of UK-US relations.

Mr. Miliband, a former Labour leader and energy secretary, was appointed foreign secretary by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday. Known for his outspoken criticism of former US President Donald Trump, Miliband’s past remarks — including calling Trump “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper” in 2016 — have drawn a notably negative response from elements within the Trump administration. Sources close to President Trump conveyed to British media that there is genuine anger over Miliband’s appointment and warned that Trump "doesn't forget" past criticisms. Some US officials characterized Miliband as an obstructionist on energy issues, pointing to his opposition to expanding North Sea oil and gas production, which the White House associates with a wider agenda of opposing fossil fuels.

Further criticism in the US stems from Miliband’s tenure as Labour leader, during which he withdrew support for military action against the Syrian regime in 2013. This decision reportedly left the US isolated in its efforts to respond to atrocities in Syria. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson linked that outcome to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s subsequent actions in Crimea, suggesting that Miliband’s foreign policy choices had broader geopolitical implications.

Despite these criticisms, others emphasize a more optimistic outlook on Miliband’s capacity to engage constructively with international partners, including the US. Former Labour foreign minister Bill Rammell expressed confidence that Miliband can establish a working relationship with the current US administration, reminding observers that past Labour figures who had also criticized Trump maintained functional ties during their tenures. Rammell noted that political differences have not precluded cooperation in complex international environments.

Since taking the foreign secretary post, Miliband has emphasized a foreign policy agenda focused on the UK’s climate goals and international aid commitments. He pledged to strengthen the UK's strategic alliance with the European Union and maintain a robust partnership with the United States, citing shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. This dual emphasis signals a continuation of the UK's commitment to balancing its post-Brexit foreign relations.

Reactions from some US political commentators remain sharply critical. Steve Bannon, a former advisor to President Trump, described Miliband’s appointment in dismissive terms, framing it as damaging to the UK-US “special relationship.” Others in the US have also questioned the appointments of Miliband and Labour’s new defence secretary as unconventional choices that may complicate bilateral ties.

Mr. Miliband himself has declined to comment directly on the controversy, while Prime Minister Burnham’s decision to assign him the Foreign Office is seen as a strategic move to center UK diplomacy around climate and development priorities. Analysts suggest that Miliband will face the challenge of repairing transatlantic relations, particularly with factions still wary of his past positions.

As Burnham convenes his first cabinet meeting and Miliband assumes his new role, the coming months will be critical in assessing how the UK navigates its relationships with both the United States and the European Union amid these competing pressures.