EU ministers reject UK single market for goods proposal
Keir Starmer’s proposal for a goods-only single market is dismissed as the EU reaffirms the indivisibility of the four freedoms ahead of a July summit.
European Union ministers have formally rejected the United Kingdom’s proposal for a single market for goods, stating that the UK will receive no special treatment in its future economic relationship with the bloc. The decision, confirmed by three diplomatic sources following a meeting of EU ministers for Europe on Tuesday, marks a significant setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to negotiate a closer economic tie with Brussels.
The EU reaffirmed the principle of the indivisibility of the four freedoms—goods, services, capital, and people—thereby ruling out any 'cherrypicking' of policies. While France has indicated a willingness to welcome the UK back into the single market and customs union due to a changed geopolitical landscape, other member states remain sceptical. Ireland’s Europe minister, Thomas Byrne, described the UK’s single market for goods proposal as presenting "challenges" and urged a focus on immediate agreements on emissions trading, sanitary standards, and youth mobility.
EU Commissioner for UK relations, Maroš Šefčovič, concluded that while the EU is united in deepening ties, the UK’s "red lines are increasingly constraining progress". A second EU diplomat noted that the relationship is "the best that we have had in a very long time" but cautioned that the UK and EU are not "equal partners", adding that the UK still wants to "have the cake and eat it".
The proposed 13 July summit aims to finalise agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary standards, emissions trading, and youth mobility. This meeting is also seen as a moment to launch a future agenda for cooperation, with both sides interested in deepening ties on defence. However, questions are growing about Starmer’s reset with the EU, with no date announced for a long-expected EU-UK summit.
Ireland’s Europe minister Thomas Byrne told reporters: “We have matters to agree now: the ETS, SPS and youth experience scheme. Let’s focus on them before we get on to any other discussions, which also present difficulties. We certainly want to be as open as possible in the relationship.”