UK and EU close ranks on defence amid Trump turmoil

Unlock the editor’s digest in free

FT editor Raula Khalaf selected his favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The global turmoil encouraged by the Trump Administration is deepening the EU’s determination to sign a defense and protection agreement With the UK It will allow British weapons companies to participate in collecting joint weapons.

President Donald Trump threatens not to protect NATO allies and its overcars towards Russia have forced European countries Re -arm collectively And increase their defense expenses, when discussing Ukraine about how to pull the abilities to best protect after a possible US-broker peace agreement.

Ay “Wishing alliance” The first national meeting has paved the way for the signing of the agreement next month at a summit of EU leaders organized by British Prime Minister Sir Care Starmar under France and UK.

“The British originally returned inside the tent in defense,” said an EU diplomat. “We only need this agreement to make sure.”

On Friday, the EU ambassadors met in preparation for the summit, four diplomats said that most of the capital, in addition to extensive statements on geological issues, called for the signing of the defense and security agreement.

The European Commission has created pre-need for UK participation in the proposed € 150BN LOAN program in the proposed € 150BN LOAN program that governments can tap for military collection.

As a sign of their close coordination, Britain’s Defense Secretary John Hilly co -med a “coalition” meeting with his French counterparts in Brussels last week, then a Ukraine military supply meeting in Germany co-operated with his German opponent.

At the same time, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves joined the EU finance ministers at Warsaw on the weekend to make the case “to assist in deep defense financing with our European allies.”

EU capitals have aimed to finalize two more agreements with the UK that will cover issues including energy, migration and fisheries.

Second is a controversial problem for France, Denmark and other coastal EUs that seek to maintain their access to the UK water after the existing agreement ended in 2026.

The French position that recovered during the EU ambassadors’ discussion is that the EU’s access level in British phishing water will cloud up a broad discussion with any pressure of any pressure in the United Kingdom to rebuild.

“War, Trump and Arming Europe are bringing France and the United Kingdom closer,” the second EU diplomat says. “But we need to greet some more on the EU and the United Kingdom to get closer” “

Diplomats say both Paris and London are under pressure to find any compromise, other capitalists argued that it would be ridiculous for fishing-a politically sensitive but economically little problem to help something like the protection of Europe.

The first EU diplomat of the Defense Agreement said, “The French are watching it with a magnifying glass while everyone else is seeing its widely expanded strategic benefits.”

The French embassy in the EU refused to comment.

Another EU country with the powerful phishing industry Denmark said it was “always open” “close cooperation with outside countries in the European Union”.

Its economy minister Stephanie Los told the Financial Times: “We know that we have a close bond with the United Kingdom with Norway, of course we should be open to explore. … Other things that can actually help strengthen Europe.”

Under the $ 1 billion program, governments will receive the EU’s general budget -backed loans for the joint collection of critical weapons such as the air and missile defense system. The Defense Agreement is a British defense agencies, many of which have close ties with Italian, German, Swedish and other EU defense industries, fully participate.

Diplomats said both the president of the Commission, Antonio Costa, who represents the government’s president, Ursula von deer lane and block governments, supported the close cooperation with the UK, diplomats.

“We must do a lot in the EU to strengthen Europe’s defense, but we must do a lot outside the EU, so we are open to that busyness,” EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Domborseskis said.