Starmer and Merz to sign UK-Germany treaty targeting smuggling gangs and boosting defence ties

New bilateral deal includes deeper industrial and security cooperation after Brexit and amid global instability Keir Starmer will welcome Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to Downing Street on Thursday to sign a new bilateral treaty that promises tighter action on smuggling gangs, expanded defence exports and closer industrial ties between the UK and Germany. The bilateral friendship and cooperation treaty marks the latest phase of Starmer's bid to rebuild Britain's influence in Europe - wit...