EU and UK will likely expand security and defence partnership, analyst says ahead of London summit

On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.

The United Kingdom and the European Union will hold their first annual summit on May 19 in London, with both sides expected to prioritize a new defence and security agreement aimed at deepening cooperation as U.S. commitments appear to be shifting under the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office last year vowing to reset post‑Brexit relations, has already hosted preliminary talks in early May to align strategies on Ukraine support and regional security, setting the stage for formalising intelligence sharing, joint procurement, and coordinated responses to emerging threats such as cyber‑attacks. 

Analysts from Chatham House argue there is “a real case” for the UK and EU to jointly plan how they might backfill capabilities traditionally provided by the United States, with Olivia O’Sullivan describing such a pact as a logical build on Britain’s longstanding defence strengths. The Times European diplomats, however, stress that broader cooperation on economic and regulatory issues will hinge on resolving longstanding disputes over fisheries access and youth mobility rights for EU nationals in Britain. 

Fishing rights remain the thorniest issue, with the UK proposing a four‑year deal—less than the seven‑year access sought by France and the Netherlands—which complicates linkage to veterinary and SPS agreements necessary for food trade. Brussels is pressing London to extend beyond its current one‑year, quota‑based youth mobility scheme to a multi‑year arrangement that includes tuition‑fee exemptions, a move that could provoke backlash from Brexit supporters concerned about immigration. 

On the economic front, Starmer is negotiating a limited trade deal with the United States that would eliminate higher tariffs on steel and aluminum but leave a 10% duty on cars—terms EU trade ministers have criticized as falling short of Washington’s larger global trade ambitions. Reuters EU officials warn that any perception of the UK aligning too closely with Brussels could jeopardise ongoing U.S. negotiations and potentially trigger reciprocal tariffs on other British exports. 

Despite these challenges, both sides recognize the strategic necessity of reinforcing NATO’s European pillar. A successful defence pact at the summit would signal renewed trust and pave the way for issue‑based coalitions on energy, migration, and counter‑terrorism, reflecting a pragmatic approach recommended by former French diplomats who caution against reverting to pre‑Brexit dependency.

The outcome of the summit will test Starmer’s ability to balance security gains with domestic political sensitivities, as unresolved fisheries and mobility disputes could reignite Brexit‑era tensions. Observers note that a clear “quick win” on defence could provide momentum for broader cooperation, but only if both sides demonstrate flexibility on the economic and social issues that remain the summit’s most divisive hurdles.

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