2025 has been an excellent year for German-British relations, but the practical hard work only begins now
With the EU-UK Summit in May and the signing of the Kensington Treaty in July, the groundwork for closer ties across the Channel was firmly laid in 2025. The recent visit of the German Federal President was more than just the icing on the cake: it not only showcased our close historical bonds, but also offered a clear path forward by underlining our shared destiny.
However, much of the real work only starts now. We must deepen our defence cooperation by significantly streamlining procurement processes and placing less emphasis on building and protecting national champions. If we are truly committed to achieving economies of scale, we need greater consolidation – both in the variety of defence systems and in their production. Scaling up is essential to ensure that the substantial funds pledged for defence are not spent inefficiently, something we simply cannot afford given today’s complex geopolitical challenges and our overall budgetary constraints.
The recent breakdown of talks on British participation in the EU’s SAFE programme shows that all sides will need to make a greater effort. Beyond defence, forging closer ties will also require a fresh approach to immigration, particularly regarding short-term business stays as well as student and internship exchanges. In an increasingly interconnected world, if we cannot constructively work together on an ad hoc basis, and if we do not have the opportunity to get to know one another, we risk losing longer term momentum in strengthening both economic and personal ties. These areas are just two examples where more will need to be done in 2026 (and beyond) to unlock the full potential of our relationship.
As we enter the final days of the year, the tasks ahead are clear. Therefore, we should all use the Christmas period to recharge our batteries so that we can start the new year at full speed. On that note, I would like to thank all our members and partners for their tremendous support throughout 2025 and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
Director General
German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
