UK requires closer EU partnerships due to volatile world, Starmer says

LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) – Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the global instability caused by the war in Iran means Britain should align more closely with the European Union on security and economy, following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.

At a press conference aimed at easing public concern over rising energy costs, Starmer said the impact of the war would “define us for a generation” and could be similar to the rise in energy prices in the 1970s.

“We want to be more ambitious, closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest and our shared future” with the EU, Starmer told reporters.

Trump on Tuesday again criticised European countries that refused to join his war against Iran, calling out Britain and France, as transatlantic relations deteriorated from the conflict that has driven ​up energy prices.

The president warned Britain and other countries to “start learning how to fight for yourself” because the U.S. “won’t be there to help you anymore”.

Britain’s Labour government has sought a reset with the EU and Starmer said it was clear that the Brexit deal agreed by the previous Conservative administration in 2020 had caused “deep damage to our economy”.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, writing by Sam Tabahriti, editing by Catarina Demony)