UK and EU leaders need reset after Trump’s win – and now voters need it too

As UK and EU leaders search relationship reset earlier than the newly elected president Donald TrumpSince returning to the White Home, public sentiment additionally seems to be shifting in favor of nearer ties on the continent, in accordance with a brand new survey.

A majority of Britons (55%) assume the UK ought to be a part of the EU in a second Trump time period and prioritize a stronger relationship with Brussels over the US (17%), a survey by the European Council on Overseas Relations confirmed in Thursday. There was additionally reluctance for Britain to observe Trump’s lead on main overseas coverage points corresponding to China and Ukraine.

On the continent, the sensation is mutual, with nearly all of respondents in EU nations – and specifically Germany and Poland – supporting nearer ties with the UK

The survey, performed after the US election, seeks to supply the most recent image of public opinion on Brexit, greater than eight years after the landmark vote.

The assertion comes days after UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on Monday mentioned a renewed relationship with Brussels throughout a visit to satisfy her EU counterparts – first such meeting since Britain formally left the bloc in 2020.

“We now not stay in a Brexit world. This world ended on November 5, 2024,” mentioned Mark Leonard, ECFR co-founder and overseas coverage professional, at an occasion in London to announce the findings.

“There’s a hanging and widespread want on each side of the Channel to get nearer,” he added.

The survey, which polled greater than 9,000 individuals within the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain, confirmed a specific willingness for each nations to cooperate extra intently on commerce and safety.

Within the UK, nearly all of respondents mentioned they noticed improved connections as serving to their key priorities round migration, safety and the financial system. In the meantime, respondents in Europe mentioned they have been prepared to present the UK “particular entry” to the EU’s single market and entry to the bloc’s analysis packages in return for larger safety cooperation.

Each nations have expressed a willingness to think about free motion of individuals in trade for stronger financial ties.

Trump’s election on November 5 added to a a sense of unease in Europesignificantly on nationwide safety and the impression of potential tariffs, with the president-elect beforehand warning that the EU might face new commerce tariffs to deal with a major commerce imbalance.

In the meantime, the UK, which has a a lot smaller commerce imbalance with the US, could also be hoping that “special connection” on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic – and Trump affinity for Brexit — are adequate to avoid wasting him from essentially the most punitive measures.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, a former prime minister of Denmark and an ECFR board trustee, informed CNBC that it was anticipated — and within the UK’s curiosity — to pursue “the closest potential relationship with the US.” However she mentioned this could not rule out shut ties with the EU.

“If we’re searching for a reset, this can be a good time,” she mentioned, noting that the present scenario might really enhance the UK’s place because it seeks to enhance relations with the EU. “This can be a time the place perhaps there may be leverage (for the UK) to ask for a bit extra.”

Thorning-Schmidt, who was prime minister between 2011 and 2015, nevertheless, acknowledged that there may very well be some “binary” elections as each events search to place themselves beneath a Trump presidency.

“If there are customs coming at us, will we retaliate? Is that a solution?” Thorning-Schmidt mentioned.

“If we’re requested to align extra with the US when it comes to its China coverage, that may be a binary alternative,” she continued.

“And if the UK is one way or the other compelled to decide on between the US and the EU – which I do not assume it’ll – it is perhaps a binary alternative.”