Five years on from Brexit, a new UK-EU trade deal is setting the tone for a more pragmatic and forward-looking relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. In response to this shift, the UK Trade and Investors’ Council convened a joint session on 13 June 2025 to find out what this reset means for cross-border business and trade.

Joining us live from Oxford, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, provided a breakdown of the agreement’s implications. In his analysis, the new deal reflects a shared recognition by both sides that global uncertainty, from defence realignments to energy security, demands stronger UK-EU coordination:

• Reduced checks on agri-food trade, reopening EU markets for UK meat products like sausages and raw burgers for the first time since Brexit.

• A €150 billion defence and security pact, offering new procurement and funding opportunities for UK firms.

• Cooperation on youth mobility, paving the way for capped and time-limited visa schemes to restore work-travel opportunities for young people.

• Continued EU access to UK waters for fishing until 2038, in exchange for smoother regulatory alignment.

• Eased border controls and digital travel reforms, including greater use of e-gates for UK travellers across Europe.

We were also joined by Miruna Keuc, Head of Business Infrastructure and Contract Management – Electricity Trading at GEN-I, who presented their approach to entering the UK market. Building on previous expansions into Belgium and the Netherlands, the UK was identified as a strategic next step to diversify their portfolio and strengthen interconnection with key European markets. From the initial decision to the first completed trade, the process lasted approximately ten months. The company plans to gradually scale up its presence and introduce additional products over time.

The session was kindly hosted by Law Firm Rojs, Peljhan, Prelesnik & Partners.