Is an EU-UK Defence Pact on the Cards after Brexit?

Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens discuss the prospects and pitfalls for a defence pact between the UK and EU. They argue that if Donald Trump is the next President of the United States, the conclusion of such a pact will be much more difficult. Under a Trump Presidency the UK will be faced with a series of difficult choices between Europe and the USA, not only in the defence field, but in trade and geopolitics as well.

SPEAKERS
Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP.

John Stevens is the Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL TRUST
The Federal Trust is a research institute studying regional, national, European and global levels of government. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it. The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research.

Support our work:

#brexit #rejoineu #blenheimpalace #keirstarmer #labourparty

Thumbnail image credit:

UK Government hosts EPC Summit at Blenheim Palace
18/07/2024. Woodstock, United Kingdom. Leaders stand for a Family Photograph of the European Political Community (EPC) Summit bringing together world leaders at Blenheim Palace. Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street

Background removed by Federal Trust

[aukebij]

an EU-UK Defense Pact is out of the question. Last month, the new European Union Defense Pact was signed and it expressly states that third countries may only have a supporting role and not a leading official role. Third countries are also not allowed to compete for defense contracts, whether this concerns construction work for defense or the supply of weapons. it's out of the question.
Why do the British only talk about things that are impossible or do they think that by talking about them changes will come?

[michaelgoss]

Thank you, a very interesting talk, the next two years is going to be critical for this country’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world.

[klackon]

What Trump actually stated was: If Ukraine did not negotiate with Russia in order to stop the war, he would stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. He then stated that if Russia did not negotiate with Ukraine, he would send Ukraine all the weapons it asked for.

[Ooze-cltx]

Regarding the prospect of the UK participating in a european defence pact i have a regulatory question:
Is it true that all documents related to such a matter would have to be presented to the House of Lords ?
Especially some "Lord of Siberia" ?
If so, why exactly do you think anyone in europe would allow the UK to come anywhere near such a cooperation ?

[Jurjen.]

Without a doubt, the UK will be back. Brexit was inevitable (and necessary), rejoin is inevitable (and necessary).

[Lucid.dreamer]

CPTPP goes into effect for the UK in mid October.

The labour party are determined to secure the India fta with a security pact bolted on.

CPTPP is about to embark on enlargement.

When Trump wins he will go for a UK FTA. Maybe he will reconsider CPTPP.

Meanwhile you are fixated upon the EU.