02 Jun BFPG’s May 2025 Review
Trade was top of the Government agenda in May, with the UK kicking off the month by signing new trade agreements with both India and the United States in quick succession. The latter was particularly timely, given the raft of tariffs Trump has announced in recent months, and as much as anything was an important symbolic coup for helping to stabilise bilateral relations at a turbulent time for the so-called ‘special relationship’.
On the 19th May came the long-anticipated UK-EU Summit, which saw important commitments around defence and security, an SPS deal, agreement around the always thorny issue of fishing rights, and to the delight of holidaymakers, agreement around e-Passport gates. While there were fewer substantive breakthroughs than many had hoped, especially around access to the SAFE defence fund, the summit laid the groundwork for closer cooperation across a broad range of areas.
If May was the month of trade, June looks set to be the month of defence, with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review widely expected to be released tomorrow (Monday). The Review has been rewritten several times over the last few months, so there are a lot of unknowns. But expect a sobering assessment of the state of the world and the UK’s ability to respond to it, a firm commitment to NATO and European security, and a focus on both modernising the forces and adopting a ‘whole of society’ approach to security.
Strengthening UK Soft Power
This month saw the launch of the latest report from the UK Soft Power Group (UKSPG), which BFPG proudly co-convenes alongside the British Council. The report – ‘Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations’ – explores the role of soft power in achieving the UK’s international ambitions.
The result of collaboration between 20 of the UK’s biggest soft power assets, from the Premier League to the British Standards Institute, the report outlines how soft power can help support development, peace and security, improve the UK’s relationship with Europe and strengthen the UK’s position in the world. READ HERE
Science and Soft Power
This month we also wrapped up the first segment of our Science and Soft Power series, conducted in partnership with the Wellcome Trust, with the final of three roundtables on the role of science in UK soft power. There will be a number of other events and research in the series over the coming months and we look forward to sharing details of those with you in due course.
Elsewhere at BFPG
Other highlights from BFPG this month have included:
– On Wednesday, BFPG Director Evie Aspinall will be giving oral evidence to the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee on the UK’s relationship with the US. Watch here.
– In York next weekend? So are BFPG! Catch us at York Festival of Ideas exploring the future of the world order. Register for free here.
– Catch up on Audley’s DipTel podcast, in which Evie Aspinall speaks about the UK-EU Summit, soft power and the UK’s role in the world.
Keep in Touch
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