• UK and EU have agreed on a major reset of trade and defense ties since Brexit.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizes the agreements will boost the economy and security.
• The deal includes provisions for fishing rights and reduced trade barriers.
• Opposition parties criticize the agreements as a betrayal of the Brexit mandate.
• Starmer aims to counter accusations of betrayal by showcasing tangible benefits for Britons.

The UK has reached a significant reset of defence and trade ties with the European Union, marking the most important reassessment of their relationship since Brexit on May 19th. This summit will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade and defence, primarily in response to shifting global dynamics, including the impacts of former US President Donald Trump's policies and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to leverage this opportunity to present tangible benefits to Britons, thereby dampening criticisms from Brexit advocates, including Nigel Farage, about perceived "betrayal," according to Reuters and India Times.

The summit will include discussions between Starmer and senior EU officials such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on a defence and security pact that potentially allows UK firms to engage in a €150 billion ($167 billion) European rearmament initiative. The agreements will also include significant adjustments to food trade regulations, aimed at reducing bureaucratic hindrances that have impacted UK food exports since Brexit, as reported by Channel News Asia and Dawn.

As part of the new arrangement, the UK plans to enhance visitor access through faster e-gates at EU airports and establish a limited youth mobility scheme that would allow temporary residence for young people from both regions. These concessions seek to foster goodwill and facilitate better relations during a time of heightened global unrest, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

Moreover, despite these advancements, there have been harsh criticisms from opposition parties, with the Conservative Party and Reform UK labeling the negotiations a "surrender" and a return to EU rule-taker status. Particularly, fishing rights remain a contentious point, reflecting ongoing tensions from the initial Brexit negotiations. This was highlighted by concerns from Farage and other pro-Brexit advocates that these accommodations mark a significant retreat from the principles of UK sovereignty established during the Brexit referendum, as explained by The Jakarta Post.

Trade experts argue that while these developments might not result in an immediate surge in economic performance, they could restore confidence among businesses eager for improved access to their largest trading partner. The trade agreement aims to cut down the bureaucratic red tape that has adversely affected food transportation across borders since Brexit, a concern frequently cited by farmers and food exporters, according to Los Angeles Times, Dawn, and India Times.