UK, EU Announce New Deals and Renew Ties

The wide-ranging bilateral pacts, including on security and defence, are a first since Brexit

- Reuters

Britain agreed the most significant reset of defence and trade ties with the European Union since Brexit on Monday after US President Donald Trump's upending of the global order pushed the two sides to move on from their acrimonious divorce.

Nearly nine years after it voted to leave the bloc, Britain reached a wide-ranging deal with the EU including a security and defence pact, fewer restrictions on British food exporters and visitors, and a contentious new fishing agreement.

Trump's tariffs, alongside warnings that Europe should do more to protect itself, forced governments around the world to rethink trade, defence and security ties, bringing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer closer to European leaders.

Starmer, who backed remaining in the EU in the Brexit referendum, also bet that offering benefits to Britons such as the use of faster e-gates at EU airports will drown out the cries of "betrayal" from Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.

Flanked by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at London's Lancaster House, Starmer said the deal marked "a new era in our relationship".

Von der Leyen said it sent a message: "At a time of global instability, and when our continent faces the greatest threat it has for generations, we in Europe stick together."