A few hours before a meeting in Washington with the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, Rachel Reeves, the British Chancellor of the Echiquier – the Minister of Finance – said that the United Kingdom's commercial relationship with the EU has remained a higher priority than his economic ties with the United States.
“I understand why the emphasis is so put on our trade relations with the United States, but in fact, our commercial relationship with Europe is undoubtedly even more important,” said Reeves to journalists in Washington, adding: “Because we are our closest and business neighbors.”
US President Donald Trump imposed 10% prices on British exports on the “Liberation Day”, the day he announced “reciprocal” prices with American trade partners around the world. The United Kingdom hopes to conclude a trade agreement with the United States, said Reeves, saying that the United Kingdom must offer “political and financial, including tax, stability”.
However, with a view to a crucial UE-UK summit, scheduled for May 19, Reeves clearly indicated that its objective of strengthening relations that the United Kingdom is regularly rebuilt with its European neighbors.
“Obviously, I met Scott Bessent this week while I am in Washington, but I also met this week the French, Germans, the Spanish, the Polish, the Swedish, the Financial financial ministers,” she said, adding that the reconstruction of a good relationship, the EU was important in a way that is “good for British and British consumers.
The United Kingdom and the EU should discuss post-Brexit reset at the summit next month. The British want to file a health and phytosanitary agreement to eliminate the British export checks to the EU and an agreement on carbon emissions.
