The UK and Belgium have set out a plan to work more closely across trade, security and energy, anchored in the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Renewed Agenda agreed on 19 May 2025. According to the UK Government, the package aims to reduce frictions for businesses while stepping up cooperation on ports, policing and supply chains.

For traders, the headline is a commitment to enhance and facilitate bilateral trade by simplifying procedures. Customs authorities will deepen cooperation and provide targeted guidance for stakeholders, including SMEs. If implemented well, this could translate into clearer pre‑arrival information, more predictable checks and faster routes to resolve routine issues, cutting uncertainty in shipping schedules and working capital cycles.

Temporary mobility is flagged for improvement, with both sides recognising the value of short‑term business and research travel. Any streamlining would matter for technicians, conference speakers and project teams that currently face tight lead times and paperwork. No legal change is announced today; rather, officials will explore options that reduce barriers while respecting domestic rules and the trade agreement’s framework.

Ports sit at the centre of the plan. The two governments will reinforce security at logistic hubs and deepen cooperation between port authorities, including work on autonomous shipping. Zeebrugge is identified for operational enhancements within broader efforts to disrupt irregular migration and organised crime. As fellow IMO Council members, the UK and Belgium also intend to push shared priorities on maritime safety, security and decarbonisation-changes that, if targeted well, can lower delays and insurance risk for shippers.

Economic security gets explicit attention. London and Brussels will widen dialogue on foreign direct investment screening in strategic and critical sectors, diversify supply chains and protect critical infrastructure. For investors, that points to closer scrutiny of deals touching defence, semiconductors, life sciences and energy. The statement also notes cooperative work on fiscal and tax matters, including information exchange, while respecting central bank autonomy.

Law enforcement cooperation will deepen as the parties build on a dedicated agreement they plan to sign in 2026, alongside collaboration through Europol, Interpol and the Prüm framework. The emphasis is counter‑terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and illicit finance, with improved data sharing and joint operations. Judicial cooperation is reaffirmed to support investigations and prosecutions, and both sides will enhance crisis preparedness and resilience. Businesses can expect more targeted checks when intelligence is strong, reducing blunt disruptions at busy hubs.

On migration, the governments will expand operational and strategic dialogue, including within the Calais Group, and enhance work to disrupt criminal networks that move people and small‑boat equipment. Zeebrugge will see technology upgrades and operational enhancements. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights while arguing legal frameworks must handle contemporary challenges and deter exploitation.

Science, innovation and health security are positioned as growth drivers. Priorities include pharmaceuticals, life sciences, AI, semiconductors and engineering biology, with universities central to delivery. The plan references Horizon Europe participation and bilateral programmes, and includes cooperation on critical medicines shortages via the EU Critical Medicines Alliance. There is a commitment to pandemic resilience, vaccines, and faster pathways for clinical research, medical devices and digital health tools.

Energy cooperation will step up. An updated memorandum will cover existing interconnectors and continuing discussions on Nautilus, a proposed new UK–Belgium electricity link subject to legislation and regulatory approvals. The plan adds yearly security‑of‑supply exchanges, biennial bilateral energy dialogues, closer coordination under the North Sea Summit and exploration of low‑carbon hydrogen.

Both countries aim to conclude in the first half of 2026 a bilateral arrangement under the London Protocol to enable cross‑border CO2 transport for permanent geological storage. They also intend to establish green shipping corridors between their shores and will explore avenues for cooperation on nuclear energy. For power traders, industrials and shipowners, these milestones could shape hedging strategies, fuel choices and capex timelines over the next 12–24 months.

Defence and resilience underpin the economic agenda. As NATO allies, the UK and Belgium reaffirm support for Ukraine, expand joint exercises and consultations, and work through the NorthSeal Platform and the JEF+ mechanism to protect North Sea infrastructure from hostile activity. That focus matters for offshore wind assets, subsea cables and shipping lanes that underpin day‑to‑day commerce.

For SMEs and finance teams, the next steps are practical. Map exposure to Belgian partners and ports, refresh Incoterms and customs authorisations, and track guidance from HMRC and Belgian customs tailored to smaller traders. If your operations depend on short‑term travel, audit visa and entry requirements so you can move quickly if processes are simplified. Dealmakers in sensitive sectors should plan for deeper information requests as FDI screening dialogue intensifies. Engagement in Belgium will span federal and regional authorities-Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-so sector‑specific relationships will matter as the cooperation moves from paper to practice.