Atom is prematurely split in the ‘golden age’ transatlantic partnership | Nils Pratley

Britain was always going to prefer homegrown technology for the SMR reactors at Wylfe. The US would have done the same

It had all been so harmonious two months ago. Together with the US, we're building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment," purred the prime minister about the new landmark" UK-US nuclear partnership.

Now there's an atomic split over the first significant decision. The UK has allocated Wylfa on the island of Anglesey, or Ynys Mon, to host three small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built by the British developer Rolls-Royce SMR. The US ambassador, Warren Stephens, says his country is extremely disappointed": he wanted Westinghouse, a US company, to get the gig for a large-scale reactor.