On April 24, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks in London. Since the UK left the EU five years ago, under the 'America First' policy of US President Trump, UK and EU leaders are set to meet in London on Monday (May 19) to announce a significant defense and security agreement aimed at strengthening European military security. Additionally, cooperation in areas such as food trade and energy may also be enhanced. While the US has reduced its commitments to Europe, this has unexpectedly facilitated a reconciliation between the UK and the EU, ushering in a 'new era of cooperation.'

According to a report from The New York Times, Trump's 'America First' approach angered several European countries less than six months into his presidency. He threatened to annex Greenland, took a more pro-Russian stance during discussions about the Russia-Ukraine war, and excluded European countries from negotiations. Trump also initiated a trade war globally and described the EU as 'worse than China,' actions that severely damaged transatlantic trust.

The goal of the summit is to reaffirm the commitment to joint cooperation during a time of geopolitical tension and discuss the situation around the gradual withdrawal of the US. EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, stated, 'Partnerships are very important in this time of turmoil.' UK Defense Secretary John Healey also emphasized the need for cooperative efforts in the face of security challenges in Europe. Prime Minister Starmer commented, 'In this time of uncertainty and turmoil, the UK will not retreat into isolation but will proudly take its place on the world stage and strengthen alliances.'

Furthermore, EU ambassadors discussed last-minute details of the defense and security agreement ahead of the summit on Sunday (May 18). A significant point of contention was the UK's potential involvement in EU military missions, utilizing the €150 billion defense fund that the EU is currently establishing. However, having left the EU, to what extent the UK can participate remains uncertain. While the UK hopes for full access, countries like France want to impose limitations on the UK's level of participation. Another focus of the summit will be economic cooperation, as the UK seeks to reduce or eliminate trade restrictions on food and animal products. Jill Rutter, a senior researcher at the think tank 'UK in a Changing Europe', pointed out that trade and cooperation agreements currently favor the EU, indicating that the UK is in a weakened negotiating position with limited prospects for achieving its goals. The New York Times notes that many experts believe the 'reconciliation' between the UK and the EU is symbolically significant but may not significantly alter the dynamics.