U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are signing a treaty Thursday to strengthen defense ties and combat migrant smuggling across the English Channel. Merz is making his first official visit to London since taking office in May. Starmer is set on tackling smuggling gangs, with more than 20,000 people crossing the Channel in small boats so far in 2025. Germany has plrdged o make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the U.K. a criminal offence. Thw two leaders are also due to announce joint defense projects and investment deals. The U.K.-Germany treaty reflects Starmer’s efforts to improve relations strained by Brexit.Read More
