The BP Gulf oil spill threatens to undermine the ‘special relationship in trade and global leadership between the U.S. and U.K. With the British press and even some officials increasingly seeing attacks on Britain itself in President Obama and his Administration’s criticisms of BP, PM Cameron has sought to calm the waters. During a visit to Afghanistan two weeks ago, he said the gulf oil spill was just one item in what was described by his spinmeisters as a “routine” phone conversation with President Obama, but he dodged direct questions about any perception of an “anti-British” side to the criticisms of BP.