The British Labour government takes its first steps to build closer trade ties with EU Member States new Minister of Economic Affairs Jonathan Reynolds meet international colleagues in Italy.
During his first international visit since the party’s election victory, Mr Reynolds will address a G7 meeting from trade ministers that the UK wants “a closer, more mature and more balanced relationship with our friends in the European Union”.
“In the UK we now have a strong government with an even stronger mandate from the British people. A government that has respect, that we want to work with and that is open for business,” Mr Reynolds will say.
“My message to you today is simple: Britain is back. A confident, outward-looking, forward-looking UK is ready and willing to play our part on the international stage.
“We aim for a closer, more mature and more balanced relationship with our friends in the European Union – our closest and largest trading partner, and we also intend to forge better trade relations with countries around the world.
The Minister of Economic Affairs’ trip will also include a meeting with European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck. It comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer will receive EU leaders at Blenheim Palace in Oxford that same week.
The moves mark a clear break with the previous Conservative government’s hard-line approach to the EU since the 2016 Brexit referendum. Trade deals with the continental bloc have since been marred by border checks and higher costs for consumers – issues that Labour has pledged to tackle.
The party’s election manifesto on Brexit states that it will “work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU”. This includes a veterinary agreement, supporting touring artists and ensuring mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
But Sir Keir has also remained committed to the outcome of the Brexit referendum. Shortly before his election victory, the new prime minister told reporters that the UK will not rejoin the EU in his lifetime, meaning “no return to the single market, the customs union or free movement.”
The Brexit deal Boris Johnson finalised in 2020 gives the UK and EU the ability to review their agreement every five years. The next turning point is in 2026, giving Sir Keir his first real chance to put his stamp on the Brexit deal.
However, many in the EU have cast doubt on the prospects of any far-reaching deals being struck in this review. The think tank Centre for European Reform points out that the negotiations are limited in scope, with one EU official saying it is “a review, not a revision, not a renewal or even a change of any kind”.
Yet Britain’s economy secretary this week is keen to align his country’s interests with those of the EU. He is expected to tell officials that “we are not naive about the scale of the challenges threatening global stability,” like Putin or China.
“That’s why the UK wants to work with you to increase supply chain resilience, giving businesses the confidence to invest and grow by planning not just for the year ahead, but for the decade ahead.”
