CBI Proposes New Strategic EU-UK Partnership to Boost Defence, Energy, Economy

Ahead of the EU-UK Summit, various UK business and governmental bodies have called for a strategic reset in EU-UK relations to enhance defence, energy security, and economic growth. The CBI, after consulting over 400 members, published 12 strategic recommendations aimed at improving mobility, regulatory alignment, energy cooperation, and joint defence initiatives, aligning with government priorities and BusinessEurope's outlook. Similarly, the UK Business and Trade Committee emphasized the need to unlock a 'Brussels dividend' through deeper collaboration and regulatory roadmaps, warning that without such a reset, UK economic growth could stagnate further. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the necessity of reinventing the EU-UK relationship post-Brexit, underscoring it as a top priority for the bloc. Despite these calls for cooperation, the EU continues to demand further British concessions on issues like fishing rights and youth mobility, complicating finalizing a post-Brexit cooperation framework. Collectively, these developments illustrate the critical juncture at which EU-UK relations stand, balancing opportunities for growth and security against ongoing political and regulatory challenges.