Trump Issues Warning as Starmer Continues China Diplomatic Mission
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning against the United Kingdom strengthening economic ties with China, labelling such moves as "dangerous" as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai for the next phase of his diplomatic visit to the country.
Diplomatic Engagements and Economic Discussions
The Prime Minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, advocating for what he described as a "more sophisticated" relationship between the two nations. This meeting occurred during Sir Keir's first visit to China by a UK premier since 2018, marking a significant moment in bilateral relations.
Speaking to reporters early on Friday regarding the UK's efforts to enhance economic connections with China, President Trump expressed clear disapproval. "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 stated. The US President added that Canada was performing "poorly" economically and cautioned that "you can't look at China as the answer."
Trade Developments and Political Reactions
During the visit, several concrete agreements have been reached that demonstrate the practical outcomes of this diplomatic engagement:
- Tariffs on Scotch whisky are set to be reduced by half to 5%
- UK citizens visiting China for fewer than 30 days will no longer require a visa
- Octopus Energy Group, Britain's largest energy supplier, announced a new joint venture with China's PCG Power focused on trading renewable energy within China
UK officials have emphasised that the United States was fully aware of Sir Keir's trip and its objectives beforehand, noting that President Trump himself is scheduled to visit China in April. Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant directly challenged the US President's assessment, telling BBC Breakfast: "Yes, he is wrong, and I say this precisely because, apart from anything else, he himself said in his own statement that he is a friend with President Xi."
Human Rights Concerns and Political Criticism
The Prime Minister's visit has not been without controversy, as he faced pressure to address human rights issues during his discussions with Chinese leadership. Sir Keir has been urged to raise the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai and the treatment of the Uighur minority community.
According to his son, 78-year-old British national Mr Lai has endured five years in solitary confinement under Hong Kong's national security law, treatment described as amounting to "torture." The Prime Minister stated that he had a "respectful discussion" on these matters with Chinese officials, though neither he nor Downing Street would elaborate on specific details regarding contentious issues.
Political opponents have been vocal in their criticism of the diplomatic approach. The Conservative Party has accused Sir Keir of "kowtowing" to President Xi, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed being "very, very nervous" about Chinese activity in the UK. Mr Farage emphasised that no trade deals should be established before Jimmy Lai's release from detention.
Broader International Context and European Perspectives
The Liberal Democrats have argued that the Government is approaching China from a "weak" position due to the absence of a UK-EU customs union. Party leader Sir Ed Davey told the Press Association that while Britain should engage with China, it must also "call China out on its human rights abuses."
Sir Davey further criticised President Trump, describing him as "the most dangerous person at the moment" while highlighting what he termed hypocrisy in the US President's position. "Donald Trump is a hypocrite because he's going to China himself and he's the most dangerous person at the moment with undermining Nato and undermining trade across the world," he stated.
Ahead of his trip, Sir Keir articulated his diplomatic philosophy to Bloomberg, rejecting binary choices between global powers: "I'm often invited to simply choose between countries. I don't do that." This statement reflects his approach to navigating complex international relationships while pursuing British economic interests.
The Prime Minister's Shanghai visit concludes a significant diplomatic mission that has balanced economic opportunities with human rights concerns, against a backdrop of international scrutiny and political debate about the appropriate nature of UK-China relations in a changing global landscape.
