New Delhi, Jan. 10 -- The U.S. seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic was seen by some as the unilateral action of an America-first government with scant regard for other countries' views. Britain calls it an example of trans-Atlantic cooperation in support of international rules.

The U.K. government argues that the interception of the vessel by American special forces backed by British sea and air support, alongside a U.S. pledge of security guarantees for Ukraine, vindicate Prime Minister Keir Starmer's efforts to keep Trump from abandoning America's European allies.

Others say that is wishful thinking, as the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro and Trump's renewed desire to acquire Greenland put Starmer's...