Germany and the United Kingdom's Opposing Views on the EU

Despite the recent meeting in Germany between British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel from April 12 to April 13, Berlin and London still have opposing views on the future of European integration. The United Kingdom is seeking to return some sovereignty to EU member states, while Germany wants deeper political and economic integration.

In the short term, some agreements are possible. Both countries are interested in preserving the common market and reducing the European Union's spending and bureaucracy. However, in the long term, the countries' conflicting goals for Europe will cause them to push in opposite directions.