Overview
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and the European Union will hold their second leaders' summit on July 22 to reset relations and deepen cooperation on trade, security and the economy.
- The government is presenting the summit as a delivery of its campaign promise to restore closer ties with Europe and as a tool to tackle the cost of living and boost jobs.
- London plans to press for progress on discrete disputes, notably steel tariffs, food standards and energy cooperation, with negotiators expected to seek concrete, time‑bound commitments.
- Starmer raised the summit while meeting European Council President António Costa at the G7, where both leaders said closer UK‑EU cooperation is vital for European security, resilience and prosperity.
- The summit follows months of diplomatic outreach to stabilise ties after Brexit and will be watched for deal points that could affect trade rules, business costs and opportunities for young people.