The UK and Europe Reach Agreement on Defense and Trade after Brexit

On Monday, the United Kingdom and the European Union finalized a significant accord regarding fishing rights and defense collaboration, marking an important point five years post-Brexit. 

Nick Thomas-Symonds, a British Cabinet Office minister, revealed the agreement as representatives from both parties convened in London for their inaugural major summit since the U.K. officially exited the 27-member trade bloc in 2020. This followed a closely-contested 2016 referendum that decided in favor of the U.K.’s exit. The administration of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who engaged with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other high-ranking EU figures, promoted the summit as a key moment in renewing relations. 

“A historic day,” Thomas-Symonds shared on X on Monday. “After prolonged discussions, I am pleased to announce that the Labour Government has achieved a new accord with the EU.” 

Starmer’s chief negotiator said the agreement was good for jobs, bills, borders and more. 

Another issue that has long been a sticking point in U.K.-EU relations is fishing — a symbolically important issue for the U.K. and EU member states such as France. Disputes over the issue nearly derailed a Brexit deal back in 2020. The summit is also expected to cover aligning standards on the sale of agricultural products, which could eliminate costly checks on food products exported across the English Channel. 

Thomas-Symonds told the BBC he was confident that trade could be improved for food imports and exports. 

“We know we’ve had lorries waiting for 16 hours, fresh food in the back not able to be exported, because frankly it’s just going off, red tape, all the certifications that are required, we absolutely want to reduce that,” he reportedly said. 

The New York Times cited an unnamed European diplomat as saying the agreement will allow European boats access to U.K. fishing waters until June 30, 2038. 

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, stands for a photo with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, right, ahead of a United Kingdom and European Union summit at Lancaster House, London, Monday, May 19, 2025.  (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

The agreement comes as the return of President Donald Trump brings a greater sense of urgency for cooperation between the U.K. and the bloc, as the incoming U.S. administration takes a new approach to European trade and security, as well as the Ukraine-Russia war. It’s unclear how Trump, who backed Brexit, will react to Starmer’s new deal with the EU. 

“The reset could still be blown off course by disagreements over how to consolidate existing areas of cooperation like fisheries and/or external factors, such as a negative reaction from the U.S. to the U.K. seeking closer ties with the EU,” Jannike Wachowiak, a research associate at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, told the AP. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.