By Blessing Nweke
Donald Trump has warned that it is “very dangerous” for the UK to deepen economic ties with China, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continued a high-profile visit to Beijing aimed at resetting relations between the two countries.
The US president made the remarks after the UK and China announced agreements to boost business and investment following talks between Sir Keir and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, Trump said Britain increasing trade with China posed serious risks, though he did not expand on his concerns.
Downing Street responded by stressing that Washington had been informed in advance about Sir Keir’s trip and its objectives. No 10 also noted that Trump himself is expected to visit China in April, underlining ongoing engagement between Beijing and Western leaders.
Trump later shifted his focus to Canada, issuing an even stronger warning and arguing that China should not be viewed as an economic solution. He recently threatened tariffs on Canada over potential deals with Beijing following a visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Sir Keir, however, struck a positive tone, saying the UK–China relationship was in a “good, strong place” after what he described as “very good meetings” with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Addressing the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing, he said the talks had delivered “just the level of engagement that we hoped for”.
Several concrete outcomes have already emerged from the trip, including visa-free travel arrangements, lower tariffs on whisky exports, and a £10.9bn investment by AstraZeneca to build manufacturing facilities in China. Agreements on cooperation in areas such as organised crime and illegal immigration were also announced.
While business leaders welcomed the visit, opposition MPs criticised the government, accusing it of putting economic interests ahead of national security.
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