Can Britain still straddle the Channel and the Atlantic?
The Chair of the Business and Trade Committee has warned that Britain faces a growing strategic dilemma in the global economy: whether it can still prosper between the United States and Europe — or risks being squeezed between two increasingly assertive economic blocs.
Meeting details
The warning comes during a turbulent week in the transatlantic economy. A public dispute between President Trump and Sir Keir Starmer has underlined rising tensions between Washington and London, while at the same time, the European Union has stepped up plans for a new “Made in Europe” agenda, publishing proposals for an Industrial Accelerator Actdesigned to strengthen EU industry which risks cutting out UK firms.
For decades Britain has prospered by acting as a bridge between Europe and the United States. But as both sides of the Atlantic pursue more activist industrial policies, the space for countries outside those blocs may narrow.
The Business and Trade Committee will question Trade Minister Chris Bryant on how the Government plans to navigate this new landscape — including the progress of the proposed UK-EU “reset” and the future direction of Britain’s economic partnership with the United States.
Liam Byrne said: “Britain has long prospered as a bridge between Europe and America. But Europe is building a ‘Made in Europe’ economy and Washington is becoming far more unpredictable. Ministers now need a clear strategy - because the real risk is not choosing between our great allies, but being shut out by both.”