United Kingdom Labor Party leader, Starmer, asserts that the German-British friendship treaty has strengthened the bond between the two countries more than ever before. - Strengthening of the German-British relationship solidifies their union more firmly than ever before
In a significant step towards deepening cooperation, Germany and the United Kingdom are set to sign a friendship treaty in London. The treaty, which reflects a shared commitment to strengthen ties across several strategic areas, will focus on foreign policy, security, defense, trade, investment, and migration.
Defense cooperation is a key aspect of the treaty. The agreement builds on the Trinity House Agreement on Defence, signed in October 2024, which included joint development of long-range strike weapons. The leaders will announce a commitment to develop the Deep Precision Strike capability, an advanced system with a range exceeding 2,000 km, intended to reinforce NATO deterrence and safeguard British security.
Germany’s defense tech company, Stark, is opening its first production facility outside Germany in the UK to manufacture AI-powered unmanned systems. This move reflects increased military-industrial integration and is expected to create and sustain thousands of highly skilled jobs in the defense sector.
The treaty also includes plans for joint export campaigns for equipment like Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets. This is expected to generate billions of pounds in additional defense exports over the coming years, benefiting both economies.
Trade and investment are another focus of the treaty. A new bilateral business forum will be established to enhance trade and investment relations, building on existing economic ties that account for 8.5% of all UK trade. The treaty aims to further integrate the two economies, supporting nearly 500,000 jobs in the UK that are linked to trade with Germany.
The fight against illegal migration is another focus of the proposed cooperation. Germany has pledged to change its laws by the end of 2025 to outlaw the facilitation of illegal migration to the UK, empowering authorities to investigate and disrupt supply chains used by smugglers to traffic migrants across the Channel.
The friendship treaty represents a comprehensive upgrade of bilateral relations, with a strong emphasis on defense industrial cooperation, joint capability development, enhanced trade and investment, and coordinated action against transnational crime. This partnership is expected to deliver significant economic and security benefits for both nations, while reinforcing Europe’s collective resilience in an uncertain global environment.
The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at 12:00 local time (13:00 CEST) in London, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, accompanied by Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), expected to be present. This visit marks the first time Merz has visited London since taking office in May.
The treaty is not directly related to any reported investments by German companies in the UK, although the British government reports that German companies are planning investments in the UK amounting to more than 200 million pounds (230.6 million euros), expected to create over 600 new jobs in the UK. The German government has also expressed its intention to strengthen cooperation with Britain in trade and investment matters.
In conclusion, the friendship treaty between Germany and the UK marks a significant step forward in their relationship, focusing on defense, trade, investment, and migration. The treaty is expected to deliver substantial economic and security benefits for both nations, while reinforcing Europe’s collective resilience in an uncertain global environment.
The friendship treaty, signed by Germany and the United Kingdom, includes the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, as these European institutions will play a role in the approval and implementation of policies related to the strategic areas addressed in the treaty, such as defense, trade, and migration.
Moreover, the engagement of the European Parliament is significant, as it will be responsible for discussing, debating, and voting on the treaty's policy-and-legislation implications, ensuring that the partnership adheres to the political and legal framework of the EU and maintains a strong unity within European politics.
