Speech

PM remarks at business reception: 19 May 2025

Prime Minister바카라 사이트™s remarks from the business reception in Downing Street.

• From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
• Published: 19 May 2025

• Location: 10 Downing Street
• Delivered on: 19 May 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Commissioner Sefcovic.

It바카라 사이트™s fantastic to welcome you all to mark the strategic partnership that we have agreed today with the EU.

Trade deals are much talked about.

People tried for a long time to get a trade deal with India, and it didn바카라 사이트™t happen for eight years. We came along and did that deal with India.

People tried and talked about a deal with the US, we came along and did that deal with the US.

Nobody believed we could do a better deal with the EU, and we바카라 사이트™ve just done a better deal with the EU.

I always said, I바카라 사이트™m not particularly keen on the performance side of politics. I think it바카라 사이트™s the delivery that matters.

And this has happened because of the serious, pragmatic way that we바카라 사이트™ve gone around our negotiations, and when I met Ursula and Antonio at the beginning of the exercise, we committed to each other that we wouldn바카라 사이트™t do it by megaphone diplomacy.

We would do the hard yards of real diplomacy and negotiation, and that바카라 사이트™s the base on which we got this deal today.

And so, in the space of just under two weeks, three trade deals.

That tells you something about serious pragmatism.

It tells you something about our commitment to growth, but it also tells you something about the country, because others only want to do trade deals with businesses and economies that they want to tie themselves to going forward.

It reflects the strength of all those that are represented here and many, many others, because we have dramatically improved our trading ties with the largest economy in the world, the US, the fastest growing economy in the world, India, and the largest trading bloc in the world, the EU.

And that is, as I say, a vote of confidence in this country.

We바카라 사이트™re living in a different world. It바카라 사이트™s a different era, and notwithstanding that instability, that uncertainty, the decisions that we바카라 사이트™ve taken to stabilize the economy and lead the way internationally have made Britain a place that people want to do business with once again.

And I바카라 사이트™m really proud to be leading a government and a country where others are telling me that they바카라 사이트™re very pleased to see the UK back leading on the world stage, whether it바카라 사이트™s defense and security, whether it바카라 사이트™s trade or the economy or many of the other global issues that face us.

And to underline that Britain is a place where people want to do business. Once again,  I바카라 사이트™m delighted that we바카라 사이트™re announcing major new European investments into Britain today.

Rheinmetall investing £60 million in Telford.

Knauf Insulation바카라 사이트¦

Investing £170 million in North Wales.

And NewCold investing £235 million in Corby.

Together, creating hundreds of new jobs across the UK.

We also have news today of great British companies 바카라 사이트“ like Octopus energy 바카라 사이트“ expanding in Europe.

So I want to say a huge thank you to everyone here바카라 사이트¦Â 

For backing Britain.

And let바카라 사이트™s just take a closer look at the deal we바카라 사이트™ve struck today.

It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market 바카라 사이트“  

The best of any country outside the EU or EFTA.

All while sticking to our red lines.

It바카라 사이트™s good for bills, good for jobs, good for borders바카라 사이트¦

Good for businesses large and small.

By 2040 it will increase Britain바카라 사이트™s GDP by around £9 billion.

Our SPS agreement will make food and agriculture trade cheaper and easier바카라 사이트¦

Cutting admin costs that can reach thousands for a single lorry바카라 사이트¦

Opening up EU markets for British food exporters바카라 사이트¦

Lifting the de facto ban on British burgers, bangers and shellfish바카라 사이트¦

And bringing down prices for British consumers.  

Our new Defence and Security Partnership바카라 사이트¦

Will strengthen our security바카라 사이트¦

And open the door to working with the EU바카라 사이트™s new defence fund 바카라 사이트“

Boosting Britain바카라 사이트™s defence industry.

By increasing our co-operation on emissions trading바카라 사이트¦

We바카라 사이트™re saving UK businesses바카라 사이트¦

From having to pay £800 million in EU carbon taxes.

By increasing cooperation on energy바카라 사이트¦

We바카라 사이트™re bringing down bills over the long term,

And boosting our renewables industry in the North Sea.

The deal also protects our steel exports from new EU tariffs,

Saving the industry £25 million each year.

And it puts the fishing industry on a stable footing바카라 사이트¦

Protecting our access, rights and fishing areas바카라 사이트¦

With no increase in the amount that EU vessels can catch in our waters. 

And our fishing industry will also benefit from that new SPS agreement, slashing costs and red tape.

So this a new deal for a new era바카라 사이트¦

One that will bring huge benefits to the British people.

And by the way 바카라 사이트“

For business travellers 바카라 사이트“ and tourists 바카라 사이트“

We confirmed today바카라 사이트¦

That you바카라 사이트™ll be able be able to use e-Gates in Europe 바카라 사이트“

Ending those huge queues at passport control.

That really is something to celebrate!

You know, when I became Prime Minister바카라 사이트¦

Almost a year ago바카라 사이트¦

I said I would deliver in the national interest.

And I think we바카라 사이트™ve shown today, once again 바카라 사이트“

That I meant it.

So thank for you for your support 바카라 사이트“

Now let바카라 사이트™s build on this progress바카라 사이트¦

Let바카라 사이트™s keep showing that Britain is open for business바카라 사이트¦

And working with all our partners 바카라 사이트“

To deliver for the British people.

Thank you all.

Published 19 May 2025