Donald Trump has warned the United Kingdom against deepening economic ties with China, just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised progress made during a landmark visit to Beijing. The US president described the UK's pursuit of closer relations with the rival superpower as 'very dangerous'.
Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years, held three-hour talks with President Xi Jinping on Thursday, securing improved market access, lower tariffs and investment deals. He described the relationship as being in a 'good, strong place'. However, Trump's remarks have caused concern in Downing Street, given his unpredictability and longstanding hostility toward Beijing.
Responding to Trump's comments, Starmer told Sky News: 'I don't think it's wise for the United Kingdom to stick its head in the sand. China is the second biggest economy in the world. It's along with Hong Kong, our third biggest trading partner.' Trade minister Chris Bryant added that Trump was 'wrong', noting that the US president himself has called Xi a friend and is due to visit China in April.
The US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, had earlier cast doubt on Starmer's efforts, saying it was 'unlikely' they would pay off. He played down the prospect of Trump imposing tariffs on Britain, unlike Canada, which faced threats after its prime minister Mark Carney visited Beijing.
Starmer, who later travelled to Shanghai and then Tokyo for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, insisted Britain could strengthen ties with China without harming relations with Washington. 'We've got very close relations with the US – of course, we want to – and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defence,' he said.
