London Calling is a weekly rundown of the top ten emerging issues from the past seven days shaping US-UK commercial relations.

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Memo: London Calling | Edition 10 | March 17, 2021

1. Boris Johnson's vision for post-Brexit 'Global Britain' includes more nuclear weapons: In a declaration of its aspiration to become "Global Britain," PM Johnson unveiled a 10-year plan to boost international trade and deploy soft power around the world.

But Johnson's government surprised many by declaring it would also increase its arsenal of nuclear warheads, not only to deter traditional threats but also to confront biological, chemical, and perhaps even cyber assaults.

2. Britain will treat Russia as a "hostile state" but China primarily as a commercial "competitor," according to a landmark review of British foreign policy that PM Johnson's government published.

"Global Britain in a Competitive Age," an integrated review of security, defense, and foreign policy, set out plans to boost spending on Britain's offensive cyberwarfare capability to combat Moscow and Beijing.

3. PM Johnson said a new cold war with China would be a "mistake" as he faced a backlash from his own MPs over plans to build deeper trade links.

The PM said that Britain had a balance to strike in its Chinese ties, adding that he was prepared to be "tough" in areas with risks.

"Those who call for a new cold war on China or for us to sequester our economy entirely from China, which seems to be the new policy of the opposition, weaving as they generally do from one position to the next, are, I think, mistaken." -- PM Johnson

4. Britain is tilting to the Indo-Pacific region: Johnson and his admirals are billing the focus on a zone stretching through some of the world's most vital seaways east from India to Japan and south from China to Australia as Britain stepping out in the world after 47 years locked in the EU's protectionist cupboard. Others warn Johnson is indulging a hubristic and militarily dangerous imperial fantasy.

5. UK Cabinet Office to shift civil servants to Scotland: Whitehall ministry to send at least 500 staff to secondary headquarters in Glasgow.

Ministers hope that the secondary headquarters will bring greater economic prosperity to cities and towns across the UK and serve to inject a fresh perspective into civil servants' policymaking.

6. Only a quarter of Scots want an independence referendum this year: There is more support for a referendum in the next two to five years (30 percent), and 45 percent say there should not be another referendum in the next few years.

A poll by Sunday Times suggests that the nationalists may win a parliamentary majority of one in the Scottish elections on May 6, after a fall in support for the party and independence.

7. Support for Scotland's independence by age:

18-24: 70%

25-49: 60%

50-64: 38%

65 yr+: 32%

YouGov March 8

8. The recent deal between the UK and US to remove British products from US retaliation lists related to the Boeing-Airbus dispute, in exchange for commitments on a UK resolution of its part Boeing-Airbus deal, is a significant achievement. While it is only provisional, and many would argue a technical fix to the 20-year dispute, the agreement presages the potential conclusion of the much broader trade agreement.

9. You are looking live: Here is Downing Street's new £2.6 million broadcast studio.

The venue will hold White House-style press briefings.

The briefings will be led by Allegra Stratton, the Downing Street Press Secretary and former journalist who has also been head of strategic communications for the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and was credited with carefully crafting his image.

10. Westminster polling intention:

CON: 43%

LAB: 37%

LDEM: 6%

SNP: 6%

GRN: 4%

-- Opinium/Observer poll