EU-UK relations: Options for closer cooperation on trade and investment

04 November 2024
Online Policy Dialogue

Speakers: Henning Meyer, Professor of Public Policy and Business, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen & Research Associate, University of Cambridge; Peter Foster, Journalist and author, Public Policy Editor at the Financial Times

Moderator: Brigid Laffan, President, European Policy Centre

Upon taking office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer set the record straight: “The UK will not seek to return to the EU’s Single Market, customs union, or freedom of movement (the three red lines). At the same time, Labour pledged to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU by addressing barriers to trade. For the EU, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement remains the ground for future collaboration, while the political guidelines for the next Commission (2024-2029) mention strengthened relations with the UK on energy, security, resilience and people-to-people contacts.

This online Policy Dialogue discussed the priority areas of the UK and the EU in trade and investment, practical issues facing the citizens and businesses on both sides of the Channel, and how stronger EU-UK ties into global affairs.

The event is part of EPC’s new initiative that brings together prominent experts from the UK, the EU and wider Europe to discuss the opportunities and limitations for EU-UK cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, education and culture, and global affairs.