British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks to the media on the EU Council headquarters on December 9, 2024. in Brussels, Belgium.
Thierry Monas | Information from Getty Pictures | Getty Pictures
BRUSSELS, Belgium ꟷ President-elect Donald Trump has but to re-enter the White Home, however the UK and neighboring European Union are already working extra intently collectively to protect in opposition to potential commerce and protection confrontations with the incoming US chief.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves traveled to Brussels on Monday to fulfill her EU counterparts within the first such assembly since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Her host, Eurogroup President Pascal Donohoe, mentioned he hoped it might be the primary of “many” conferences.
“There was a extensively shared feeling that in a world of turmoil we proceed to have shared pursuits and values,” an EU official, who didn’t need to be named due to the delicate nature of the talks, advised CNBC of the assembly with the UK chancellor.
The identical official added that these shared values have an effect on Ukraine, China and the US
Reeves and her colleagues didn’t share particular particulars of the talks in Brussels, however talked about earlier than their conferences that there have been three areas the place Britain and the EU may do extra collectively: supporting Ukraine, selling free commerce and strengthening bilateral financial partnerships.
The concrete progress of those talks stays to be seen, however a number of conferences have already been added to the diaries to handle these matters.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making his personal short-term EU ties, internet hosting European Council President Antonio Costa this Thursday and anticipated to attend a gathering of EU heads of state in early 2025.
I didn’t come right here in the present day to begin negotiations.
Rachel Reeves
Chancellor of the UK
A senior EU diplomat, who additionally didn’t need to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks, advised CNBC that the bloc may gain advantage from being nearer to the UK due to Britain’s historic “particular relationship” with the US. The considering comes amid feedback by the US president-elect about probably imposing tariffs on European nations and lowering Washington’s assist for Ukraine. Trump beforehand advised NCB’s Meet the Press that he would “most likely” reduce such help.
Ignacio García Bercero, a overseas fellow on the Bruegel assume tank and a former EU chief negotiator in commerce talks with the US, mentioned the EU ought to rethink its relationship with the UK when coping with probably extra protectionism from the US
“It could even be essential, strategically, for the UK and the European Union to have a dialogue on these points. We are going to be sure that once we handle the US, we accomplish that in a means that’s constant and that doesn’t really trigger issues [in resetting relations with the U.K.]he mentioned.
The UK and EU have confronted tumultuous years because the Brexit vote, with advanced negotiations damaging their relationship. The brand new Labor authorities, which took energy in July after 14 years of rival Conservative rule, desires to revive belief and finish the latest confrontation.
“I did not come right here in the present day to begin negotiations or to put out a set of calls for, these reset talks and people negotiations will begin within the new yr, however what I sought to do in the present day was to begin rebuilding these bonds of belief, which has been destroyed over the previous couple of years,” Chancellor Reeves mentioned in Brussels after his assembly.
On the identical time, she made it clear that she was not aiming to barter rejoining the EU or change Britain’s exit agreements.
