Gordon Brown got what he wanted from Washington. Brown has established the kind of ambiguity in the relationship that did not exist between Tony Blair and George W Bush. The various hints and comments from his government so far - from Douglas Alexander and Lord Malloch Brown - have created a sense that Brown is establishing distance from the Bush administration.
At the same time, at Camp David today, he and Bush exchanged compliments and warm words about the continuing close relationship between the US and Britain. So Brown has got it both ways.
Before the meeting, Bush administration officials and American commentators had said they could not be sure of the chemistry between the two men. It was not the Colgate moment of 2001 when Bush and Blair, on their first meeting, joked about sharing the same toothpaste. But Bush praised the prime minister for his leadership in the aftermath of the Glasgow and London attacks, described him as a problem-solver and an optimist, a glass half-full man.
Before the meeting, John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, had said that what counted was not words but deeds. In the event, Brown signalled Britain's intention to begin, later this year, withdrawing from Iraq the remaining 5,500 troops. He said that he would tell parliament first: the Commons is not due to return until October. That would be after the US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, reports to Washington in the middle of September on whether there has been any progress in Iraq. It is likely he will and that would provide the cover for a British withdrawal to begin.
Brown insisted the decision will not be dictated by US concerns. He said it would be based on the assessment of British commanders on the ground. Bush acknowledged as much, saying that Brown would keep him abreast of what the British commanders decided. The Bush administration would prefer the UK to remain in Iraq longer for political reasons, but understands why Brown is keen to leave earlier.
There was agreement between the two on tougher sanctions against Iran, on a new UN resolution against Sudan unless it ceases the genocide in Darfur and on the prospects of a new world trade deal.
Lord Malloch Brown told the Sunday Telegraph two weeks ago that Britain and the US were no longer joined at the hip. Maybe not, but they are still within touching distance.
