Britian and EU Seek Closer Ties Amid US Trade and Defense Concerns
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves met with EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday to discuss potential trade and defense agreements, following the impending change in the US administration.
Reeves’ visit was the first since Britain’s departure from the EU in 2020, and was seen as a key step in rebuilding trust and strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting focused on three key areas: support for Ukraine, championing free trade, and strengthening economic partnerships.
EU officials described the meeting as productive, with a “broadly shared sense” that the UK and EU have shared interests and values, including concerns over Ukraine, China, and the US.
The meeting was seen as a reaction to the potential changes in the US administration, with President-elect Donald Trump’s comments on possibly imposing tariffs on European nations and reducing aid to Ukraine sparking concerns about potential trade and defense confrontations.
A senior EU diplomat noted that the bloc could benefit from a closer relationship with the UK due to its historical “special relationship” with the US, which could be an advantage in dealing with potential protectionism from the US.
The UK and EU have faced challenging times since the Brexit vote, with complex negotiations causing tensions. The new Labour government aims to rebuild trust and end recent confrontations.
“I did not come here today to start a negotiation or to lay down a set of demands. Those conversations about the reset and those negotiations will begin in the new year, but what I was aiming to do today was to begin to rebuild those bonds of trust that have been fractured in the last few years,” said Chancellor Reeves.
The meeting was described as a positive step towards future cooperation, with several more meetings scheduled to focus on key areas such as support for Ukraine and championing free trade.
