Giving EU Another Chance? How Donald Trump Has Changed Post Brexit Calculations

The UK aims to reset its post-Brexit relationship with the EU through a May summit focusing on defence, security, and trade.

Keir Starmer's government seeks deals on joint military procurement, intelligence sharing, and easing border checks on food and drink. This is driven by the recognition that both the UK and EU want to reduce reliance on the US amid its security pullback, notably under President Trump.

Trump's tariffs and tougher stance on the EU have ironically pushed the UK and EU closer together, with EU leaders showing newfound urgency for cooperation. However, tensions remain over issues like fishing rights, with France potentially leveraging defence talks to secure better terms.

Starmer insists the UK doesn't have to choose between the EU and the US, even as the US delays trade agreements and pulls back militarily in Europe.

This evolving geopolitical landscape makes the May summit critical for repairing trust and establishing new EU-UK agreements before looming deadlines in 2026.

• Keir Starmer aims to reset UK-EU relations with practical deals on defense, security, and trade by an upcoming summit.
• Restoring trust is key after years of Brexit-related distrust between the UK and EU.

• EU leaders now show renewed interest in UK defense cooperation due to reduced US involvement in Europe.
• There's a mutual urgency to strengthen European security cooperation with the UK.