The 35th Franco-British summit in 2023 was mostly about displaying unity after years of mistrust. Yesterday’s meeting was different: it was about delivery. And, by and large, it delivered – especially on defence, energy, industrial cooperation and the promise of a new pilot scheme to tackle irregular migration in the Channel. Just five years ago, such announcements would have been unthinkable. Relations were going from bad to worse, strained by Brexit, AUKUS, rows over fishing quotas, small boats and Covid-19 vaccines. Three developments helped thaw the ice: the war in Ukraine, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and Labour’s pledge to reset relations with the EU. Trust isn’t fully repaired, but it’s now firm enough to produce results.
The Franco-British Summit: back in business | German Marshall Fund of the United States
