Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has brushed aside criticism from US President Donald Trump, who described the UK's business dealings with China as 'very dangerous'. Starmer suggested Trump was 'talking more about Canada' when he made the remarks.
Trump was asked by reporters on Thursday for his reaction to Starmer's recent visit to Beijing. He responded: '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 doing 'poorly' and 'you can't look at China as the answer'.
Speaking to Sky News, Starmer said: 'He was probably talking more about Canada than the United Kingdom.' The Prime Minister noted that his visit to China had been discussed with Trump's team ahead of time, and that the US President has a scheduled trip to the country in April.
Meanwhile, China has lifted sanctions imposed on serving British MPs and peers in a sign of warming relations following Starmer's talks with President Xi Jinping. Nine UK citizens were banned in 2021 for highlighting human rights violations against the Uyghur community. However, those affected said they take 'no comfort' from the decision, vowing not to be silenced.
In other political developments, the Green Party has selected Hannah Spencer as its candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, while Reform UK has announced hard-right activist Matthew Goodwin as its contender. The by-election is seen as a test for Starmer, whose approval ratings have fallen.
