Published on 28/04/2025
Britain and the European Union are set to sign a formal declaration committing to “free and open trade” in defiance of Donald Trump’s tariff agenda.
A leaked draft promises a “new strategic partnership” between London and Brussels based on “maintaining global economic stability and our mutual commitment to free and open trade.”
It comes as Keir Starmer’s U.K. government is locked in negotiations with the Trump administration to try and get a carve-out from the U.S. president’s new tariffs.
The draft U.K.-EU agreement, dated April 25, is one of several being drawn up ahead of a May 19 summit, which is being seen as a key moment in resetting post-Brexit relations.
Officials are also negotiating U.K.-EU agreements on defense and security, fishing and energy, as well as a “common understanding” of which topics will be covered by intensive Brexit reset negotiations this year.
EU ambassadors are set to meet on Wednesday in Brussels to review progress on talks.
‘Unwavering commitment’ to Kyiv
The leaked draft also covers topics like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and irregular migration.
Both parties pledge their “unwavering commitment to providing political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic” support for Kyiv and also assert their “commitment to securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and surge in humanitarian aid.”
The document also contains a section recommitting both parties to “multilateralism” — including support for the United Nations charter, European Convention on Human Rights, and other international agreements. Some British politicians, including Nigel Farage’s Reform outfit and parts of Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative party, say they want to leave the ECHR.
Both London and Brussels also reaffirm their “commitment to international development and its importance as a key pillar of our relationship” — notably in light of the U.K.’s steep cuts to international aid to meet its fiscal rules while increasing defense spending.
The May 19 summit will be hosted by the U.K. and is expected to be the next major milestone in Starmer’s bid to overhaul relations with the EU — which were often stormy under his Tory predecessors.
The meeting is expected to be used to fire the starting gun on a wider range of negotiations covering topics like eliminating some border checks on agri-foods, a youth mobility visa scheme, and the linkage of the British and European emissions trading schemes.
