Will Brexit change the EU’s foreign policy?

Abstract

With the United Kingdom set to leave, the European Union is about to lose one of only two member states with global strategic ambition, comprehensive military capabilities, a nuclear deterrent and a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. Brexit will also deprive the EU of a driver of key foreign policies, such as enlargement and trade liberalisation. At the same time, Brexit means the removal of an EU member that regularly obstructed attempts to create and strengthen common institutions, or to speak with one voice on the global stage. This raises questions about how the loss of the UK’s contradictory influence will affect EU foreign policy.