Chancellor Rachel Reeves has emphasized that reestablishing the UK’s economic ties with the European Union may be more crucial than securing a new trade agreement with the United States, in a statement likely to stir strategic debates over Britain’s post-Brexit direction.
Speaking from Washington, where she is engaged in high-stakes negotiations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Reeves highlighted the proximity and economic interdependence between the UK and its European neighbors.
“I understand why there’s so much focus on our trading relationship with the US, but actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important, because they’re our nearest neighbours and trading partners.”
Rachel Reeves
In addition to her meetings with Bessent, Reeves revealed she has held discussions this week with her counterparts from France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden, and Finland, underscoring what she described as a coordinated push to “rebuild those trading relationships with our nearest neighbours in Europe.”
Her remarks suggest a strategic pivot from traditional Atlantic alliances toward reinforcing regional trade relations, aiming to enhance conditions for both British workers and consumers.
As part of this effort, the UK is set to host a summit with the EU in May, a critical move in what officials are calling a “reset” of relations since Britain’s departure from the bloc.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also weighed in, describing the transatlantic bond as “incredibly important” in the wake of the chancellor’s comments. His spokesperson echoed that sentiment, stating, “Both are incredibly important to us,” while firmly rejecting any narrative suggesting the UK must choose between Europe and the U.S., even as political pressure mounts from American allies of President Donald Trump to draw a firmer line.
Tariff Tensions Drive Urgency In Talks
The urgency behind Reeves’s visit to Washington is being driven by a sharp rise in tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration. Since the beginning of April, UK exports to the U.S. have been subjected to a 10 percent levy across the board, with specific 25 percent duties slapped on automobiles, steel, and aluminium — measures that have rattled financial markets and drawn rebuke from British officials.
While Reeves insists “there is a deal to be done” with Washington, she has maintained a firm stance against certain U.S. demands. These include proposed relaxations of UK food safety standards that would enable a larger influx of American agricultural products, and adjustments to Britain’s online safety laws — provisions some U.S. politicians argue infringe upon freedom of speech.
Nonetheless, the door remains open for compromise. One possible avenue, according to insiders, could be a mutual reduction in tariffs, potentially lowering U.S. duties on British-made cars in exchange for reduced UK tariffs on American vehicles. When pressed on Wednesday, April 23, Reeves did not rule out such an arrangement.
Optimism on the American side has also emerged, with Vice President JD Vance noting that there is a “good chance” an agreement can be reached, though he stopped short of predicting an imminent breakthrough.
Beyond the U.S., Reeves pointed to wider collaboration with global partners, including Canada, as part of a broader strategy to dismantle existing trade barriers. She acknowledged, however, that the tone of recent G20 conversations has been sobering. “Obviously, there are strains,” she said, citing widespread concern over volatile bond and equity markets. “We all know that that uncertainty is bad for investment in the UK economy.”
As Britain tries to balance its economic interests across the Atlantic and the Channel, Reeves’s comments reveal a pragmatic recalibration of priorities, placing regional stability and market confidence at the forefront of UK trade policy.
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