German Federal Government

07/16/2025 | News release | Archived content

Standing shoulder to shoulder for the future of Europe

The British flag shines atop the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin: British-German relations are close, trusting and multifaceted.

Photo: Getty Images/fhm

Relations between Germany and the United Kingdom are among the most important in Europe. They connect two leading economies - characterised by common interests in security and defence, in business and trade and in culture and society.

This partnership is becoming increasingly important in the face of global challenges in order to promote joint solutions for peace, trade and climate protection. A stable German-British alliance is therefore crucial for the future of Europe and beyond.

Historical development of German-British relations

German-British relations have changed over the centuries. After a phase of rivalry in the 19th and 20th centuries, Germany and the United Kingdom developed into close partners in European integration and the transatlantic alliance after the Second World War.

Membership in NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the UN-United Nations, the G7-Group of Seven and the G20-Group of Twenty strengthened cooperation at the political level. Culturally, this connection has been strengthened since the 1950s through initiatives such as the UK-Germany Cultural Commission, which was reactivated in 2023 to systematically promote exchange.

Economic and trade-related cooperation

The economic relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom is one of the strongest and most important partnerships between the two countries. Despite Brexit, Germany remains one of the UK's largest trading partners. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) of 2020 and the Windsor Framework of 2023 represented new bases for cooperation, particularly for trade with Northern Ireland.

At the beginning of 2024, the economics and energy ministers signed a framework agreementon cooperation in hydrogen, climate and energy policy. Germany also remains the United Kingdom's most important trading partner, accounting for around ten percent of foreigntrade. The cooperation is increasingly extending to technologies of the future, such as hydrogen and renewable energies.

Political and security partnership

Today, political cooperation between Germany and the United Kingdom is a central pillar of stability and security in Europe. In August 2024, Germany and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration on deepening cooperation in peace, security, migration, energy and justice. The close connection is particularly evident in the defence sector through the Joint Defence Declaration. It strengthens practical cooperation in the defence industry, support for Ukraine and cyber defence.

The Trinity House Agreement in October 2024 also further intensified military cooperation, for example in North Atlantic patrols and industrial policy projects. This partnership fortifies the transatlantic security architecture in the face of global challenges.

Cultural and civil society exchange

Exchange on a societal level is another foundation of German-British relations. The "UK-German Connection" initiative has been promoting youth exchanges since 2005, and its funding has recently been doubled.

The Cultural Commission, which was re-established in 2023, now also brings together ministries and civil society actors to elevate mobility, language promotion, creative cooperation and regional connections. In addition, the Goethe-Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Historical Institute London as well as numerous city partnerships and civil society organisations such as the British-German Association strengthen relations between the two societies.

A strategic partnership for the future

Despite Brexit and global crises, Germany and Great Britain are focusing on increased cooperation. The combination of economic cooperation, political solidarity and intensive cultural exchange creates a resilient foundation for mastering global challenges together.

The new friendship treaty, which is accompanied by an action plan, formally anchors this partnership. It aims to secure a common path in key areas such as climate protection, security and digitalisation.

German Federal Government published this content on July 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 18, 2025 at 13:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io