The CBI has been representing member priorities in discussions with European business federations and government ministers, helping to shape the next phase of EU-UK cooperation and advocate for practical outcomes that support growth, competitiveness and economic resilience.
Strengthening business engagement ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency
Ahead of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, CBI President, Cressida Hogg, and CEO, Rain Newton-Smith, travelled to Dublin for BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents.
Alongside European business leaders, the delegation met with Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, to discuss priorities for the incoming Presidency and hand over the Dublin Declaration, setting out BusinessEurope’s expectations for the coming institutional cycle.
In discussions with Irish Government Ministers and European sister federations, the CBI emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral UK-Ireland relations and maintaining momentum in the renewed EU-UK relationship. We highlighted the need to prioritise negotiations for an SPS Agreement, ETS linkage, electricity trading arrangements and a Youth Experience Scheme – all of which have the potential to reduce barriers, support investment, and unlock growth opportunities for businesses on both sides.
The CBI also underlined the importance of ensuring that the EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act reflects the reality of closely integrated supply chains and recognises trusted partners such as the UK. We are urging the EU to ensure its agenda is ‘Made with Europe’, not ‘Made in Europe’.
EU and UK Domestic Advisory Groups call for progress on renewed agenda
This week, the CBI's Europe & International Director, Sean McGuire, current Vice Chair of the UK Domestic Advisory Group (DAG), will join the joint EU-UK DAGs meeting. The DAGs issued a joint statement welcoming positive momentum since last year’s inaugural EU-UK Summit and calling for meaningful progress on key issues, including negotiations for the SPS Agreement and ETS linkage.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Summit, the focus from both sides must be firmly on clear deliverables and deeper regulatory cooperation. The CBI will continue working with sister federations across Europe and with policymakers on both sides to ensure that negotiations deliver practical outcomes that reduce trade barriers, strengthen our regional competitiveness, and support growth for businesses on both sides of the Channel.
To share your views on the EU-UK reset, Made in Europe, or any other international issue, please get in touch with Erin Henwood, CBI International Policy Manager.