Senior EU figures have signalled a renewed openness to strengthening economic and political cooperation with the UK, including the possibility of closer trade alignment and discussions around a customs union.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for finance, told the BBC that Brussels would be prepared to engage constructively if the UK wished to pursue deeper trade ties. He said the EU was “ready to engage with an open mind”, as Labour faces growing internal pressure to consider closer cooperation with the bloc.

Speaking following meetings in London with senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Dombrovskis suggested there was potential to remove most checks on food and agricultural products traded between the UK and the EU. He said this could be achieved if the UK aligned with EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards, an area where negotiations are already advanced.

Dombrovskis also indicated that the UK could still participate in the EU’s €150bn defence loans programme, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), despite talks on enhanced access breaking down late last year. While UK firms are currently capped at supplying 35% of the value of defence products under the scheme, he said Brussels remained open to further discussions.

His comments represent the strongest signal yet that the EU is willing to re-engage with the UK amid growing global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.

At a joint event in London, Reeves argued that closer UK-EU cooperation was becoming increasingly important, warning that the global order was becoming less predictable. She said the two sides shared common values on trade, the economy and security, and emphasised the need to coordinate responses and “speak with one voice” where possible.

A customs union would remove tariffs on goods traded between the UK and EU, reducing red tape and border friction. However, critics argue it would limit the UK’s ability to strike independent trade deals, as members apply common external tariffs and follow shared standards.

Labour’s election manifesto ruled out rejoining the existing EU customs union or the single market, which requires common rules across sectors. Nevertheless, calls for closer alignment have increased among Labour MPs, with Justice Secretary David Lammy suggesting a customs union could support economic growth.

Dombrovskis said the EU was also open to discussions around aspects of the single market, while stressing that full membership would require acceptance of the four freedoms, including freedom of movement.

The talks took place under the “Quint” format, involving senior UK and EU figures, aimed at coordinating responses to recent global trade and security shocks, including tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and comments on Greenland.

Dombrovskis said the EU’s firm response to those threats helped shift negotiations into a more constructive phase.

UK manufacturers are adapting to a far more fragmented global trading environment, according to new research that suggests tariffs and shifting trade rules are reshaping export decisions across the sector. Rather than pulling back from international markets, firms are reassessing risk, rebalancing their exposure, and looking beyond traditional destinations for future growth.

The research, International Trade Trends 2026: UK Manufacturers in Global Markets, produced by Make UK and DHL Express, shows that trade barriers are now a near-universal concern. Eight in ten manufacturers report being affected by tariffs, while 58 per cent say trade rules present a major obstacle to exporting. Half of respondents also point to customs delays, administrative burdens and inconsistent guidance as significant challenges when trading internationally.

Despite these pressures, confidence in the UK’s long-term trade prospects remains relatively high. Almost eight in ten manufacturers say they are optimistic overall. However, concern about global competition is widespread, with 87 per cent citing it as a major issue. Even so, UK firms continue to trade on national reputation, with 85 per cent saying they actively promote the “Britishness” of their products or business when selling overseas.

The United States remains a key export destination, with six in ten UK manufacturers currently trading there. Yet the impact of tariffs is already being felt. One in four manufacturers report balance sheet losses linked to additional costs arising from US tariffs. Anticipating further increases, nearly a quarter of firms say they brought forward exports to the US during the early months of 2025.

At the same time, many manufacturers are actively reducing their exposure to the US market. Almost a quarter say they are pivoting towards non-US destinations, while one in five have already reduced or stopped exporting to the US altogether. A quarter of exporters, however, report that they have continued with their US trade plans without making any changes. Opportunities surely remain for UK-US trade but the optics and stability is now, the for the first time in decades, being questioned.

While the US ranked as the second-most attractive growth market at the time the survey was conducted, more recent sentiment suggests manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on opportunities in Asia and Oceania.

Commenting on the findings, John Cornish, CEO of DHL Express UK, said: “At DHL Express, we see firsthand how important it is for manufacturers to navigate tariffs, customs complexity, and shifting trade rules with confidence. With the strength of British manufacturing and the right support in place, UK exporters remain well positioned to compete globally, even in a more fragmented trading landscape.”

The findings underline Make UK’s call for renewed support to help manufacturers navigate today’s increasingly complex global trading system, as businesses take a more deliberate and strategic approach to international growth.

Find out more about the optimal global export markets for British businesses, and the challenges and opportunities associated, at Global Britain Trade Expo 2026. Click here to book tickets.

Sir Crawford is a Senior Adviser at Bradshaw Advisory. He has held senior leadership roles across governments, international organisations, and academia, advising on complex negotiations and helping shape global trade frameworks. Formerly the UK Chief Trade Negotiator, he served as Second Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for Business and Trade until 2024, having previously been New Zealand's Chief Trade Negotiator and Ambassador to the WTO.

Sir Crawford will address the evolving US-UK business landscape and discuss the implications, opportunities and considerations for British businesses. Full session details soon to be announced.

Global Britain Trade Expo is set to take place at London’s QEII Centre on June 11th 2026. To purchase tickets click here.

The United Kingdom and China are seeking to reframe their economic relationship around stability, long-term planning and practical cooperation, marking a shift away from the more politically charged “Golden Era” promoted a decade ago. UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said the relationship has entered a more grounded phase, focused on aligning strategic priorities and encouraging mutual investment.

Speaking in Shanghai on 30 January during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to China, Kyle described the current approach as one based on realism and predictability. He said both governments are now taking a broader view of their respective economic strategies, creating space for more constructive engagement. According to Kyle, this pragmatic framework offers a firmer foundation for collaboration than has existed in recent years.

Starmer’s visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, underscored the government’s intent to rebuild senior-level dialogue. He arrived in Beijing on 28 January for a four-day programme, accompanied by representatives from more than 60 British companies and institutions spanning pharmaceuticals, culture, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The delegation included AstraZeneca and the National Theatre, highlighting the breadth of sectors targeted for renewed cooperation.

Kyle pointed to similarities between the UK’s 10-year industrial strategy and China’s current five-year economic plan, arguing that overlapping priorities create opportunities for joint investment. Areas such as life sciences, climate technology and artificial intelligence were identified as sectors where both countries have strong capabilities and global influence.

During the Shanghai leg of the visit, the UK delegation met with Envision Group, a Chinese renewable energy company developing a large-scale energy storage facility in northeast England. The group also visited the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai, reflecting a focus on research-led collaboration and green transition initiatives.

AstraZeneca used the visit to confirm plans to invest USD 15 billion in China over the next five years, expanding its manufacturing, research and development operations. UK officials said the announcement demonstrates the continued importance of China to British companies operating globally, while also reinforcing Britain’s desire to attract inward investment from Chinese firms.

Kyle emphasised that partnerships supporting sustainability and clean growth could deliver tangible benefits for the UK economy, including job creation and export growth. He added that collaboration with Chinese companies could accelerate progress in fast-growing global markets.

Alongside trade and investment, the two governments have also taken steps to ease travel between the countries. The UK government confirmed on 1 February that British passport holders are now eligible for visa-free entry to China for stays of up to 30 days. The policy, agreed during Starmer’s visit, takes effect immediately and represents the first such concession for UK citizens in more than 20 years.

Officials described the move as a confidence-building measure aimed at stimulating business travel, tourism and educational links. The scheme applies to visits for tourism, business meetings, family travel or transit, although longer stays and employment still require a visa.

The change is expected to support growing commercial engagement at a time of slower global growth, with UK and Chinese officials signalling that stability and openness will underpin the next phase of bilateral relations.

To find out more about opportunities for British businesses with China attend Global Britain Trade Expo 2026, 11th June 2026 at London’s QEII Centre.  To purchase tickets click here.

Business leaders and industry representatives expressed optimism about the evolving trade relationship between Britain and China on Thursday, speaking on the sidelines of the Global Britain Trade Expo 2025, an annual trade forum designed to help businesses expand internationally.

Marco Forgione, Director General at The Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade talks about trading internationally and offers advice to UK based entrepreneurs

Clive Bonny, founder, Strategic Management Partners reveals the motivation behind setting up his business and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Earlier this month, hundreds of industry leaders, policy makers, and trade professionals gathered at one of the UK’s most prominent events for international trade and business growth: the eighth annual Global Britain Trade Expo.

The opportunities and optimism of a major industry event like the Global Britain Trade Expo 2025 is infectious. Held in London on the 29th of May 2025, this premier event offered UK businesses, including a delegation from Jersey, a golden opportunity to dive deep into global trade, uncover cutting-edge innovations, and forge pathways for growth.

Senior EU figures have signalled a renewed openness to strengthening economic and political cooperation with the UK, including the possibility of closer trade alignment and discussions around a customs union.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for finance, told the BBC that Brussels would be prepared to engage constructively if the UK wished to pursue deeper trade ties. He said the EU was “ready to engage with an open mind”, as Labour faces growing internal pressure to consider closer cooperation with the bloc.

Speaking following meetings in London with senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Dombrovskis suggested there was potential to remove most checks on food and agricultural products traded between the UK and the EU. He said this could be achieved if the UK aligned with EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards, an area where negotiations are already advanced.

Dombrovskis also indicated that the UK could still participate in the EU’s €150bn defence loans programme, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), despite talks on enhanced access breaking down late last year. While UK firms are currently capped at supplying 35% of the value of defence products under the scheme, he said Brussels remained open to further discussions.

His comments represent the strongest signal yet that the EU is willing to re-engage with the UK amid growing global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.

At a joint event in London, Reeves argued that closer UK-EU cooperation was becoming increasingly important, warning that the global order was becoming less predictable. She said the two sides shared common values on trade, the economy and security, and emphasised the need to coordinate responses and “speak with one voice” where possible.

A customs union would remove tariffs on goods traded between the UK and EU, reducing red tape and border friction. However, critics argue it would limit the UK’s ability to strike independent trade deals, as members apply common external tariffs and follow shared standards.

Labour’s election manifesto ruled out rejoining the existing EU customs union or the single market, which requires common rules across sectors. Nevertheless, calls for closer alignment have increased among Labour MPs, with Justice Secretary David Lammy suggesting a customs union could support economic growth.

Dombrovskis said the EU was also open to discussions around aspects of the single market, while stressing that full membership would require acceptance of the four freedoms, including freedom of movement.

The talks took place under the “Quint” format, involving senior UK and EU figures, aimed at coordinating responses to recent global trade and security shocks, including tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and comments on Greenland.

Dombrovskis said the EU’s firm response to those threats helped shift negotiations into a more constructive phase.

UK manufacturers are adapting to a far more fragmented global trading environment, according to new research that suggests tariffs and shifting trade rules are reshaping export decisions across the sector. Rather than pulling back from international markets, firms are reassessing risk, rebalancing their exposure, and looking beyond traditional destinations for future growth.

The research, International Trade Trends 2026: UK Manufacturers in Global Markets, produced by Make UK and DHL Express, shows that trade barriers are now a near-universal concern. Eight in ten manufacturers report being affected by tariffs, while 58 per cent say trade rules present a major obstacle to exporting. Half of respondents also point to customs delays, administrative burdens and inconsistent guidance as significant challenges when trading internationally.

Despite these pressures, confidence in the UK’s long-term trade prospects remains relatively high. Almost eight in ten manufacturers say they are optimistic overall. However, concern about global competition is widespread, with 87 per cent citing it as a major issue. Even so, UK firms continue to trade on national reputation, with 85 per cent saying they actively promote the “Britishness” of their products or business when selling overseas.

The United States remains a key export destination, with six in ten UK manufacturers currently trading there. Yet the impact of tariffs is already being felt. One in four manufacturers report balance sheet losses linked to additional costs arising from US tariffs. Anticipating further increases, nearly a quarter of firms say they brought forward exports to the US during the early months of 2025.

At the same time, many manufacturers are actively reducing their exposure to the US market. Almost a quarter say they are pivoting towards non-US destinations, while one in five have already reduced or stopped exporting to the US altogether. A quarter of exporters, however, report that they have continued with their US trade plans without making any changes. Opportunities surely remain for UK-US trade but the optics and stability is now, the for the first time in decades, being questioned.

While the US ranked as the second-most attractive growth market at the time the survey was conducted, more recent sentiment suggests manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on opportunities in Asia and Oceania.

Commenting on the findings, John Cornish, CEO of DHL Express UK, said: “At DHL Express, we see firsthand how important it is for manufacturers to navigate tariffs, customs complexity, and shifting trade rules with confidence. With the strength of British manufacturing and the right support in place, UK exporters remain well positioned to compete globally, even in a more fragmented trading landscape.”

The findings underline Make UK’s call for renewed support to help manufacturers navigate today’s increasingly complex global trading system, as businesses take a more deliberate and strategic approach to international growth.

Find out more about the optimal global export markets for British businesses, and the challenges and opportunities associated, at Global Britain Trade Expo 2026. Click here to book tickets.

Sir Crawford is a Senior Adviser at Bradshaw Advisory. He has held senior leadership roles across governments, international organisations, and academia, advising on complex negotiations and helping shape global trade frameworks. Formerly the UK Chief Trade Negotiator, he served as Second Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for Business and Trade until 2024, having previously been New Zealand's Chief Trade Negotiator and Ambassador to the WTO.

Sir Crawford will address the evolving US-UK business landscape and discuss the implications, opportunities and considerations for British businesses. Full session details soon to be announced.

Global Britain Trade Expo is set to take place at London’s QEII Centre on June 11th 2026. To purchase tickets click here.

The United Kingdom and China are seeking to reframe their economic relationship around stability, long-term planning and practical cooperation, marking a shift away from the more politically charged “Golden Era” promoted a decade ago. UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said the relationship has entered a more grounded phase, focused on aligning strategic priorities and encouraging mutual investment.

Speaking in Shanghai on 30 January during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to China, Kyle described the current approach as one based on realism and predictability. He said both governments are now taking a broader view of their respective economic strategies, creating space for more constructive engagement. According to Kyle, this pragmatic framework offers a firmer foundation for collaboration than has existed in recent years.

Starmer’s visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, underscored the government’s intent to rebuild senior-level dialogue. He arrived in Beijing on 28 January for a four-day programme, accompanied by representatives from more than 60 British companies and institutions spanning pharmaceuticals, culture, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The delegation included AstraZeneca and the National Theatre, highlighting the breadth of sectors targeted for renewed cooperation.

Kyle pointed to similarities between the UK’s 10-year industrial strategy and China’s current five-year economic plan, arguing that overlapping priorities create opportunities for joint investment. Areas such as life sciences, climate technology and artificial intelligence were identified as sectors where both countries have strong capabilities and global influence.

During the Shanghai leg of the visit, the UK delegation met with Envision Group, a Chinese renewable energy company developing a large-scale energy storage facility in northeast England. The group also visited the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai, reflecting a focus on research-led collaboration and green transition initiatives.

AstraZeneca used the visit to confirm plans to invest USD 15 billion in China over the next five years, expanding its manufacturing, research and development operations. UK officials said the announcement demonstrates the continued importance of China to British companies operating globally, while also reinforcing Britain’s desire to attract inward investment from Chinese firms.

Kyle emphasised that partnerships supporting sustainability and clean growth could deliver tangible benefits for the UK economy, including job creation and export growth. He added that collaboration with Chinese companies could accelerate progress in fast-growing global markets.

Alongside trade and investment, the two governments have also taken steps to ease travel between the countries. The UK government confirmed on 1 February that British passport holders are now eligible for visa-free entry to China for stays of up to 30 days. The policy, agreed during Starmer’s visit, takes effect immediately and represents the first such concession for UK citizens in more than 20 years.

Officials described the move as a confidence-building measure aimed at stimulating business travel, tourism and educational links. The scheme applies to visits for tourism, business meetings, family travel or transit, although longer stays and employment still require a visa.

The change is expected to support growing commercial engagement at a time of slower global growth, with UK and Chinese officials signalling that stability and openness will underpin the next phase of bilateral relations.

To find out more about opportunities for British businesses with China attend Global Britain Trade Expo 2026, 11th June 2026 at London’s QEII Centre.  To purchase tickets click here.

Business leaders and industry representatives expressed optimism about the evolving trade relationship between Britain and China on Thursday, speaking on the sidelines of the Global Britain Trade Expo 2025, an annual trade forum designed to help businesses expand internationally.

Marco Forgione, Director General at The Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade talks about trading internationally and offers advice to UK based entrepreneurs

Clive Bonny, founder, Strategic Management Partners reveals the motivation behind setting up his business and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Earlier this month, hundreds of industry leaders, policy makers, and trade professionals gathered at one of the UK’s most prominent events for international trade and business growth: the eighth annual Global Britain Trade Expo.

The opportunities and optimism of a major industry event like the Global Britain Trade Expo 2025 is infectious. Held in London on the 29th of May 2025, this premier event offered UK businesses, including a delegation from Jersey, a golden opportunity to dive deep into global trade, uncover cutting-edge innovations, and forge pathways for growth.