Aftershocks of Brexit: UK-EU Relations in 2025

Zainab Sheikh

The world is unpredictable; whereas the pre-World Wars era was characterized by ludicrous conflicts based on nationalism, the post-war era saw nations come together to rebuild and reconstruct their economies. One of the initiatives that came about as a result of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, also known as the Treaty of European Union, was the European Union. The Treaty is essentially founded on three pillars: cooperation in justice and home affairs, a single market, and a common foreign and security policy. According to Euroskeptic views, the foundation of state sovereignty is based on a number of pillars, including economics, security, and justice.

Brexit has led to economic disruptions, with UK-EU trade declining due to regulatory and logistical barriers.

The same happens in United Kingdom, where the policies of EU were seems to be undermining the sovereignty of the kingdom and finally the rise of UK Independent Party led by Nigel Farage campaigned the restoration of British sovereignty and paved the way for the EXIT of British in 2020. Now five years later, the question still loom large: Has Brexit delivered the promised benefits or created unforeseen challenges for the UK in its relations with the EU.

Post- Brexit landscape of EU-UK Relations

After Brexit, the EU and the U.K. will have to renegotiate their relationship. The single most important point is that 20 out of the 27 EU member states want to move toward defense cooperation with the U. K. This covers the defense industry and joint military exercises and is an acknowledgement that in an increasingly uncertain world both sides have more in common than divides them when it comes to security interests. But there are also those who remain skeptical. France, for its part, would like to see the cooperation go further to encompass other contentious topics, including fishing rights and migration policies.

Back in the UK, the trade union movement is calling for closer collaboration with the EU of good jobs, to solve a difficult global economy. The Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents the country’s largest labor unions, said it wanted “a more dynamic, closer relationship” with the E.U. to help cope with the challenges of a global economy and to create good jobs. The TUC’s move signals an increasing feeling in the UK that it wants to reexamine, and possibly buttress, its relationship with the EU – albeit without returning to past arrangements like freedom of movement.

Security cooperation between the UK and EU remains crucial, especially in defense and geopolitical challenges.

The geopolitical context, especially in the area of security and defense, continues to shape EU-UK relations. Britain’s active support for Ukraine against Russia and the need for stronger security cooperation with the EU has lifted that profile. As he prepared to present a proposal for a peace deal to around 25 world leaders, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russian President Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to dictate the ceasefire in Ukraine. The “coalition of the willing,” is also made up of European countries, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand, and will come together to discuss their backing of the peace efforts.

Additionally, diplomatic interactions have changed as both parties recognize the importance of a long-term alliance. In order to promote more seamless trade relations, EU vice-president Maroš Šefčovič emphasized the significance of dynamic alignment in sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. This shows a readiness to work out technical agreements that might ease trade tensions without sacrificing legal requirements.

Post-Brexit Economic Relations and way forward for 2025:

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which went into effect in January 2021, established the framework for trade between the UK and the EU, but businesses have had to deal with increased costs and administrative burdens. For example, the UK delayed implementing certain customs controls, such as sanitary and phytosanitary checks for plants and agrifood products from the EU, which puts UK exporters at a competitive disadvantage compared to their EU counterparts.

The fisheries sector has been a focal point of economic contention. Following Brexit, disputes over fishing rights have strained relations, with both sides vying for control of profitable fishing zones. The livelihoods of fishing communities and the sustainability of marine resources are impacted by the controversial enforcement and interpretation of agreements that have been reached.

And trade in goods has shown large declines. UK imports from the EU were down 32% and exports to the EU were down 27% in the 2021 to 2023 period. Non-tariff barriers, regulatory divergences and post-Brexit logistical headaches are said to be the culprits. To fix these problems, experts have proposed things like putting VAT and customs processes on a life or death diet to reduce trade friction.

A special case of Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland has become one of the most sensitive and complex issues in EU-UK relations since Brexit. To preserve the Good Friday Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol was introduced to prevent a hard border with the Republic of Ireland on the island of Ireland. This led to political and economic tensions within the UK due to the fact that this arrangement created a regulatory border at the Irish sea.

The Windsor Framework of 2023 proposed to solve some of these problems by reducing customs inspections and allowing the UK to set VAT rates for Northern Ireland. Despite these attempts, unionist elements in Northern Ireland see the Protocol as a threat to their union with the United Kingdom, creating political turmoil and issues for local governance.

The Northern Ireland Protocol continues to pose political and economic complexities in UK-EU relations.

Following extensive negotiations between the EU and UK, we reached the most reasonable solution: one that respects the Good Friday Agreement; safeguards the integrity of the EU single market; reflects the interests and concerns of the communities across the regions of Northern Ireland. The outcome of these negotiations is vital for both regional peace and the wider EU-UK relationship.

Conclusion:

If we are looking back at the impact of Brexit, its fair to say that Brexit has brought a lot of unexpected challenges to the UK following its exit from EU. While the referendum was driven by the goal of restoring sovereignty, the practical consequences have been murky. Broader economic data shows the UK has suffered a fall in trade with the EU, more costly administrative burdens for businesses, and sector-specific challenges, especially in the auto and fishing sectors.

Politically, the focus on the need to deepen cooperation in defense and security in the face of shared threats has highlighted the interdependence that persists despite formal separation. The question of Northern Ireland continues to be a vivid example of the tightrope walked in preserving peace and stability while negotiating changes in regulatory environments.

Although formal sovereignty has been gained through Brexit, the new reality comes with many problems that require negotiation, adjustment, and cooperation with the EU. Therein lies the way forward, one of practical engagement, of acknowledging mutual interests, and creating structures that enable the UK and EU to flourish in a divorce-infused future.

The Author is an accomplished Independent Author specializing in research on the Southeast Asian region, with a focus on conflicts, bilateral relationships between states, global governance, and the history of conflicts. Her expertise extends to comprehensive analyses of climate change impacts.