“Freundship”? The deepening of British-German relations from pre- to post-Brexit

This article investigates whether post-Brexit British-German relations can be understood as an “international friendship,” employing a novel framework in international relations theory. It conducts a qualitative-interpretivist case study, analyzing state visits in 2004, 2015, and 2023, with a focus on the discourse of heads of state during these key diplomatic events. The data include speeches, non-discursive practices, and bilateral forums, which are contextualized within the wider literature on international friendship and public diplomacy. These cases illustrate the transformation of the relationship through a time that is commonly considered a deep rupture, most notably through Brexit. The findings indicate that while Brexit indeed posed a challenge, it also led to strengthened British-German relations. Although structural changes are necessary for lasting stability in this bilateral relationship, the two nations have developed a “shared being in time” characterized by reconciled historical memories and a clearer joint vision for the future.