B7 Summit 2026
The CBI’s Chief Executive, Rain Newton-Smith, led a senior Team UK delegation to this year’s B7, hosted by the CBI’s French sister federation MEDEF.
Speaking on behalf of CBI members, Rain highlighted the critical role business can play in strengthening cooperation between the world’s leading economies. She emphasised the importance of G7 economies remaining open to innovation, committed to free trade, and focused on delivering coordinated, ambitious policy programmes that support long-term growth.
This year’s B7 Communiqué calls for greater resilience, competitiveness, and growth at a time of heightened global uncertainty. It sets out practical recommendations across seven priority areas:
- Greater stability and predictability in global trade
- Secure and sustainable access to critical materials
- Stronger financial frameworks to support long-term investment
- More efficient infrastructure delivery
- Accelerated digital and AI adoption
- Resilient energy and environmental policies
- Investment in an adaptable and healthy workforce.
The CBI will continue working closely with our B7 sister federations and the UK Government to drive progress in these areas and ensure members’ priorities and concerns are reflected in international policy discussions.
EU-UK reset
Closer to home, political developments have led to the postponement of the second EU-UK Summit, which had been scheduled for late July. Negotiations initiated following last year’s inaugural Summit – including a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and UK-EU Emissions Trading System linkage – continue, and the CBI remains in close contact with relevant government departments as discussions progress.
Ahead of the postponed Summit, the CBI and BusinessEurope sent a joint letter to the Prime Minister and European Commission President von der Leyen, underlining the importance of a strong EU-UK partnership for our mutual security, growth, and competitiveness.
Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, businesses on both sides of the Channel are calling on EU and UK leaders to deliver tangible outcomes and set out an ambitious programme for deeper economic, defence and security cooperation in the years ahead.
To share your views on the CBI's international activities or overseas trade issues impacting your business, please contact Erin Henwood, CBI International Policy Manager.