Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has firmly dismissed recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who labelled the United Kingdom's deepening economic relationship with China as "very dangerous". The comments, made by Mr Trump to reporters early on Friday, specifically expressed disapproval of Sir Keir's official trip to China, which has been focused on strengthening bilateral trade and diplomatic ties.
Trump's Warning and Starmer's Response
In his remarks, Donald Trump stated, "Well, it's very dangerous for them to do that, and it's even more dangerous, I think, for Canada to get into business with China." He added that Canada was performing "poorly" and cautioned that "you can't look at China as the answer". However, responding from Shanghai during broadcast interviews, Sir Keir Starmer played down the significance of these comments.
Speaking to Sky News, the Prime Minister said, "I've seen President Trump's comments. I think, to be fair, he was probably talking more about Canada than the United Kingdom." Sir Keir emphasised that the US and UK remain "very close allies", noting that his visit to China had been discussed in advance with Mr Trump's team. He also pointed to the former president's own scheduled visit to the country in April as evidence of ongoing engagement.
Context of UK-China and Canada-China Relations
The diplomatic exchange occurs against a backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics. Earlier in January, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China, where the two nations reached a preliminary agreement to reduce tariffs on selected goods. Initially, Mr Trump made positive comments about this deal, but later threatened Canada with a 100% tariff on exports if Ottawa pursued a free trade agreement with China. Mr Carney has since denied any such plans.
This threat followed a previous row over Mr Trump's demand to annex Greenland, which prompted Mr Carney to deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum widely interpreted as a rebuke to the former US leader. Sir Keir Starmer, ahead of his own trip, told Bloomberg that he would not be forced to choose between Washington and Beijing, stating, "I'm often invited to simply choose between countries. I don't do that."
Starmer's Shanghai Agenda and Achievements
The Prime Minister's visit to Shanghai, a major global financial hub, formed a key part of his Chinese itinerary. Upon arrival, Sir Keir met with Chinese design students and delivered remarks at a showcase of British brands on Shanghai's historic bund. His trip has not been without domestic criticism, with political opponents accusing him of "kowtowing" to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Nevertheless, Sir Keir has consistently highlighted both the financial benefits of improved UK-China relations and the importance of engaging with Beijing on areas of disagreement. He revealed that his discussions with President Xi had resulted in China lifting sanctions on British parliamentarians, a significant diplomatic development.
Concrete Trade and Travel Benefits Secured
The visit has yielded several tangible agreements that promise to boost the UK economy. Tariffs on Scotch whisky, a crucial export, are set to be halved to just 5%, providing a substantial boost to the Scottish spirits industry. Additionally, UK citizens visiting China for periods of fewer than 30 days will no longer require a visa, facilitating easier travel and business exchanges.
In the energy sector, Octopus Energy Group, Britain's largest energy supplier, has announced a new joint venture with China's PCG Power. This collaboration is aimed at trading renewable energy within China, aligning with both nations' sustainability goals. Furthermore, Number 10 has indicated openness to a future state visit to the UK by President Xi Jinping, whose last such visit occurred in October 2015.
Sir Keir told GB News that he hopes President Xi will attend next year's G20 summit, which the United Kingdom is scheduled to host. This underscores the Prime Minister's strategy of maintaining diplomatic channels with major global powers while pursuing specific economic advantages for Britain, despite external criticism from figures like Donald Trump.
