Following Donald Trump’s recent re-election, the Prime Minister faces calls to strengthen the UK’s relationship with the European Union, as senior EU officials highlight new opportunities for cooperation.
Sandro Gozi, chair of the EU delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, indicated that the EU is keen to pursue closer ties, especially in areas such as academic collaboration, youth mobility, and artificial intelligence.
The push for renewed ties comes amid concerns in the UK that Trump’s victory on 5 November should serve as a “wake-up call” for Sir Keir Starmer.
Gozi pointed to security and defence as areas where collaboration with the UK is now “even more compelling,” given fears over Trump’s approach to NATO and the potential for a trade war.
“We recognise our shared interests in enhanced security collaboration,” Gozi said, expressing hope that Trump’s win will prompt greater UK-EU cooperation on defence matters.
Trump, who has previously criticised NATO’s reliance on US funding, has indicated that his administration’s support for allies may hinge on their financial contributions.
This stance has led some EU and UK officials to see a deeper UK-EU partnership as critical.
“It’s curious that we engage in technology dialogues with the US and India but lack a similar dialogue with the UK,” Gozi noted, identifying emerging technology as a potential area for joint efforts.
Calls for stronger ties with the EU have also surfaced within the UK since the US election, with former Conservative Deputy Leader Michael Heseltine remarking, “The sooner we re-establish ourselves at the heart of Europe, the better for all concerned.”
While acknowledging America’s historical role in supporting Western stability, Lord Heseltine warned that “America First” ideology, which has gained traction, highlights the importance of Europe bolstering its unity and self-reliance.
Other UK voices, including Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Calum Miller, stressed the importance of rebuilding links with Europe.
“This election outcome underscores the need to reinforce trade and defence connections with our European allies,” Miller commented, urging the UK to repair its EU relationship.
Similarly, Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse expressed hope that the government will “deliver on its commitment to renewed EU cooperation.”
Gozi affirmed that the EU shares this sentiment, describing the current political climate as a “significant opportunity” for a new UK-EU partnership.
He pointed to the upcoming EU-UK summit, championed by Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year, as a potential turning point for relations, saying, “This meeting could serve as a catalyst for stronger collaboration.”
