Abstract:
On November 7, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to use the two European summits to be held in November to promote closer economic relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union to reduce the impact of post-Brexit trade barriers on British economic growth. Burnham will attend the European Political Community meeting in Dublin on November 12 and travel to Brussels for the UK-EU summit on November 20. The British government hopes to use this to promote bilateral negotiations that have been progressing slowly.
Currently, UK-EU negotiations mainly involve areas such as youth mobility, agricultural product trade and carbon emission regulation. The two sides still have differences on some issues, including the EU's requirement that the UK separately resolve the issue of preferential tuition fees for EU international students, rather than linking it to the qualifications of British companies to participate in EU industrial policies. The British government hopes to reduce costs for domestic companies by relaxing some trade restrictions and simplifying regulatory procedures.
After taking over as British Prime Minister in July this year, Burnham has shown greater flexibility in European policy than his predecessor Starmer. The UK government is evaluating a number of options, including establishing a dedicated economic partnership, rejoining the EU customs union or the European single market, and even considering rejoining the EU in the future. However, the political and economic costs of different options vary significantly. Rejoining the single market may improve trade access conditions for British companies, but it requires accepting free movement of people rules; a customs union can avoid some immigration disputes, but the economic benefits are relatively limited.
Relevant discussions have triggered concerns within the British Labor Party. Some MPs from pro-Brexit constituencies in 2016 fear that revisiting issues of immigration and national sovereignty could exacerbate domestic political divisions and create political opportunities for Nigel Farage's Reform Party. At the same time, although recent polls show that the British public's support for strengthening ties with the European Union has increased, this does not mean that voters are willing to go through the long political debate over Brexit again. The EU is also cautious about whether the UK can translate its more positive political stance into a concrete agreement.
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