Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.

In defiance of Trump, UK, EU to sign ‘free and open trade’ declaration

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 29 Apr 2025 13:10
4 Min Read

Britain and the EU commit to a new strategic partnership centered on free trade, pushing back against Trump’s tariff agenda ahead of a key May 19 summit.

Listen
  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference at Downing Street, London, April 11, 2025 (AP)
    Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference at Downing Street, London, April 11, 2025 (AP)

Britain and the European Union are poised to sign a formal declaration affirming their shared commitment to “free and open trade,” in what is widely interpreted as a direct challenge to US President Donald Trump’s increasingly protectionist trade stance and proposed tariff hikes.

A leaked draft of the agreement, obtained by POLITICO, outlines plans for a “new strategic partnership” between London and Brussels that centers on “maintaining global economic stability and our mutual commitment to free and open trade.” The document emphasizes a cooperative economic vision that contrasts with the unilateral tariff policies currently being advanced by the Trump administration.

The timing of this agreement is particularly significant, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is concurrently engaged in sensitive trade negotiations with Trump's White House. 

British officials are pushing for an exemption from new US tariffs that threaten British exporters and jobs, warning layoffs could begin by summer without relief from the 10% general tariff and 25% duties on steel, aluminum, and cars.

Dated April 25, the draft UK-EU trade agreement is just one of several under development in preparation for a pivotal summit scheduled for May 19. The summit is expected to mark a turning point in efforts to reset and rebuild relations between Britain and the EU following years of post-Brexit friction.

In parallel, UK and EU officials are working on additional bilateral accords covering areas such as defense cooperation, energy security, fishing rights, and a “common understanding” to define the scope of deeper post-Brexit negotiations set to unfold throughout the year. Some of these talks also include proposals for easing border checks on agri-food products and advancing mutual recognition of regulatory standards.

EU ambassadors are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Wednesday to assess the current status of the negotiations.

Related News

Nigel Farage advisor sparks controversy over WWII, colonialist comment

UK, EU reset post-Brexit relations with defense and trade pact

Commitments to Kiev, Gaza

The leaked draft also covers the Russia-Ukraine war, 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 Kiev and also assert their “commitment to securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and [a] surge in humanitarian aid.”

Meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa today, we agreed that the UK would continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and support it to deliver the reform it needs.

We also reiterated the need for a two-state solution that delivers a lasting peace and security for both… pic.twitter.com/xjMPPWjADV

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 28, 2025

According to the Shropshire Star, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has indicated a willingness to reconsider the UK's membership in the ECHR as part of a new approach to immigration. In a speech delivered in Westminster, she stated, "We will review every policy, treaty and part of our legal framework, including the ECHR and the Human Rights Act."

Renewed commitments to multilateralism

​The draft declaration between Britain and the European Union reaffirms their commitment to multilateralism, including support for the United Nations Charter, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and other international agreements.

London and Brussels also reiterate their shared “commitment to international development,” emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of their partnership, a notable stance given the recent UK cuts to foreign aid as it prioritizes boosting defense spending and meeting fiscal targets.

Last week, The Times reported that Starmer is nearing a breakthrough in securing a UK-EU defense trade deal, which would allow British arms companies to access the EU's €150 billion defense fund. The agreement follows significant UK fishing rights concessions.

The May 19 summit, hosted by the UK, marks a key step in Starmer’s push to reset EU relations after years of turbulence under Conservative leadership.

  • Brexit
  • Russia
  • United Nations
  • Keir Starmer
  • ECHR
  • Gaza ceasefire
  • United Kingdom
  • Kemi Badenoch
  • Ukraine
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS