There are concerns the UK risks upsetting Donald Trump by strengthening ties with the European Union on issues including Ukraine and trade. Britain will sign up to a statement of “shared geopolitical” values with the bloc next month that goes against several of the US’ international policies, according to reports.
It comes as the Government looks to agree a trade deal with the US that could lower tariffs on UK products and ongoing US-brokered Ukraine peace talks. A draft document, seen by the Reuters news agency, is framed as a “geopolitical preamble” to a strategic partnership between the UK and EU that is set to be agreed next month in London. The document, which has recently been shared with bloc members, reportedly underlines support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the Paris climate agreement and open and free trade.
There are fears that unless a UK-US trade deal is struck before the summit on May 19, the new EU partnership could shatter trade negotiations, The Times reports.
The draft document does not mention the Trump administration but goes against the grain of several US policies.
Text from the draft, according to reports, includes confirming “shared principles of maintaining global economic stability” and “mutual commitment to free and open trade”, as well as commitments to the Paris climate change treaty.
Another section also references Ukraine, stating: “We reaffirmed our continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.”
It comes as Mr Trump says he believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to “give up” Crimea in order to strike a peace deal with Russia.
The Black Sea peninsula was illegally annexed by Moscow forces in 2014 – Mr Zelensky has previously always rejected the idea of recognising the territory as Russian.
The UK-EU partnership is also expected to include a defence and security pact, The Times reports, and a move that will see European food safety standards followed in Britain.
A Government spokesman told the newspaper: “We are not providing a running commentary on our discussions with the EU; these are ongoing and cover a wide range of issues.
“We are clear that we will always act in the national interest to secure the best outcomes for the UK.”
