Britain will not be forced to “choose” between its European and American allies, the Government has insisted, amid reports of a forthcoming UK-EU agreement designed to shore up free and open trade in response to Donald Trump’s new tariffs.
A draft joint statement, currently being drawn up by London and Brussels ahead of a major summit in May, is said to reaffirm “shared principles of maintaining global economic stability” and a collective commitment to multilateralism.
The document, leaked over the weekend, reportedly states: “We confirmed our shared principles of maintaining global economic stability and our mutual commitment to free and open trade.”
It goes on to pledge that both sides will “continue working on how we can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the global economic order”, while also committing to the goal of “keeping the Paris Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C within reach”.
While the draft does not directly reference President Trump, its emphasis on open markets and multilateral cooperation is widely interpreted as a counter to the US President’s recent moves towards protectionism. Mr Trump announced sweeping tariffs of 10% on imports into America earlier this month, prompting concern among British exporters.
A Government spokesperson said on Monday: “The Government rejects the premise that it must choose between our European and American allies. The UK is committed to strengthening our global partnerships, maintaining open trade, and promoting international economic stability.”
The summit, scheduled for 19 May and to be hosted in London, is being billed as a crucial moment for resetting post-Brexit relations with Brussels. Officials hope it will demonstrate that Britain remains a vital partner in Europe, even as it seeks to deepen its economic ties with nations beyond the continent.
The summit will also serve to underscore Britain’s commitment to global climate goals, with the draft statement explicitly backing the Paris Agreement. This comes at a time when environmental pledges are being tested globally, amid growing economic tensions.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has previously stressed that the UK must not be forced into a binary choice between Europe and the United States. Speaking earlier this month, he said: “The national interest demands that we work constructively with both our European and American allies. Prosperity and security must not be treated as an either-or.”
However, ministers have quietly acknowledged that the imposition of tariffs by Washington will necessitate a recalibration of Britain’s global trading strategy. While still pursuing a closer economic relationship with the US, the Government is also seeking to strengthen ties with other economies, including through new or upgraded trade agreements with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Senior officials insist that the mooted UK-EU joint statement is not a pivot away from Washington, but rather a reaffirmation of Britain’s longstanding commitment to multilateral rules-based trade. They note that the United States remains one of Britain’s most important trading and security partners.
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Nevertheless, tensions between free-market advocates and protectionists have once again been thrust into the spotlight, with Britain caught in the crosscurrents. The final wording of the statement, and the success of the May summit, will be seen as a test of the Government’s ability to balance competing interests while reaffirming Britain’s global role.
The US tariffs are due to come into full effect this summer, unless a bilateral agreement can be reached. British officials are currently in negotiations with their American counterparts, seeking carve-outs that would exempt key industries from the new duties.
As preparations continue for the London summit, diplomatic sources emphasise that the United Kingdom is determined to champion open markets and collaborative action in the face of mounting global challenges.
“We must build a resilient, outward-facing economy,” one source said. “That requires strong partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The Government remains hopeful that a balanced approach will allow Britain to navigate the complex diplomatic landscape, preserving vital economic relationships without sacrificing core principles.
