The Europe agenda: Trade and integration

Over the course of this parliament, the UK-EU relationship has become a growing centrepiece of the government’s economic strategy. In light of recent global volatility, the prime minister has said that “our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union”. And in her recent Mais lecture, the chancellor emphasised the “strategic imperative for deeper integration” and warned that no other trade deal would outweigh the importance of the UK-EU economic relationship.

The government is expected to develop new plans to advance the UK-EU reset ahead of a summit expected this summer. This briefing note explores the options for the UK to deepen the trading relationship and sets out a proposed path forward.