London (TDI): On Monday, the United Kingdom agreed to the most significant defense and trade agreement with the European Union during the UK-EU Summit 2025, nearly a decade after Brexit.
The agreement was reached after US President Donald Trump overturned the global trade order by imposing tariffs on several leading economies, pushing the UK and the EU to move on from their resentful divorce.
Nearly a decade after Britain’s exit from the European Union, famously known as Brexit, the UK has again revitalized its relations with the bloc by signing a wide-ranging deal with the EU.
The deal includes trade, defense, and security agreements, lesser restrictions on British food exporters, and a contentious new fishing pact.
This is a new chapter in our 🇪🇺🇬🇧 partnership.
Starting with our Security & Defence Partnership.
It’s first step towards the UK’s participation in our defence industrial readiness SAFE ↓ https://t.co/pexS79xQAO
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 19, 2025
The tariffs imposed by the US President and his controversial remarks that Europe should do more to protect itself have urged the European countries and governments around the world to find common ground and rethink their trade and security ties.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the group of those who supported staying in the EU during the Brexit referendum.
Earlier on Monday, the British Prime Minister welcomed the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, at the Lancaster House, in London.
After signing the deal, he commented that the deal marked “a new era in our relationship.”
Ursula von der Leyen also noted that the deal sends a message that at the time of global instability, “when our continent faces the greatest threat it has for generations, we in Europe stick together.”
Read More: European Allies Welcome Victory of Pro-EU Nicusor Dan as Romanian President
Talking about the agreement, Starmer noted that the deal resets Britain’s relations with its biggest trading partners and would reduce the “red tape for agricultural producers,” making the food cheaper, and would improve energy security.
He further stated that by 2040, it would add nearly £9 billion to the British economy.
This is the third major deal that Britain has struck this month, followed by the agreements with the United States and India, and though it will not lead to an immediate relief for Britain’s economy, it will surely uplift the confidence of the businessmen and investors.
The defense and security agreement signed between the two would also allow British companies such as Rolls-Royce, BAE, and Babcock to take part in the €150 billion program to rearm Europe, thus assisting both the domestic industry and the industries abroad.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
