Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the United Kingdom, labelling its pursuit of business with China as "very dangerous." This criticism comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continues his high-profile diplomatic mission to Shanghai, aiming to strengthen economic connections between the two nations.
Trump's Warning and UK's Defensive Response
During a press briefing early on Friday, Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval of the UK's efforts to forge closer economic ties with China. "Well, it's very dangerous for them to do that," Trump stated, extending his caution to include Canada, which he claimed was performing "poorly" in similar endeavours. He emphasised that nations should not view China as a definitive solution to their economic challenges.
This intervention follows Trump's earlier threat in January to impose a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian exports, a move prompted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's own outreach to China. The timing of Trump's remarks, delivered hours after Sir Keir's landmark meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, has intensified diplomatic tensions.
UK Trade Minister Rebuts Trump's Claims
In a firm rebuttal, UK Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant dismissed Trump's assessment as "wrong." Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Bryant highlighted the apparent contradiction in Trump's position, noting that the former president has publicly described himself as a friend of President Xi and is scheduled to visit China in April.
"It would be absolutely bonkers for the UK not to engage with China," Bryant asserted during an interview with Sky News. He acknowledged the need for a clear-eyed approach, stating, "You have to challenge China on the issues where we disagree with them, but you have to face the fact that China is a major power in the world."
Bryant underscored China's economic significance, pointing out that it is the world's second-largest economy and the UK's fourth-largest export market. UK officials have also stressed that the United States was fully briefed on Sir Keir's trip and its objectives well in advance.
Starmer's Diplomatic Mission in Shanghai
Sir Keir Starmer's arrival in Shanghai marks the next phase of his controversial visit, the first by a UK prime minister since 2018. The trip has drawn criticism from political opponents who accuse the Prime Minister of "kowtowing" to Chinese leadership. However, Starmer has consistently emphasised the substantial financial benefits of an enhanced UK-China relationship.
During his meeting with President Xi, Starmer advocated for a "more sophisticated" trading partnership. This has already yielded concrete agreements, including a reduction of Scotch whisky tariffs to 5 per cent and the introduction of visa-free travel to China for British tourists and business professionals.
Balancing Act Between Washington and Beijing
The UK government finds itself navigating a delicate balancing act between maintaining its historically close relations with the United States while pursuing economic opportunities with China. In an interview with Bloomberg prior to his departure, Sir Keir explicitly rejected the notion of choosing between the two superpowers.
"I'm often invited to simply choose between countries. I don't do that," Starmer declared. "We've got very close relations with the US, of course we want to and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defence. Equally, just sticking your head in the sand and ignoring China when it's the second biggest economy in the world and there are business opportunities wouldn't be sensible."
Human Rights and Contentious Issues
The Prime Minister's visit has also reignited debates over human rights concerns. Sir Keir faced pressure to address the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai and the treatment of the Uyghur minority during his discussions with Chinese leadership.
Starmer reported having a "respectful discussion" on these matters, describing such dialogue as "part and parcel of the reason to engage." However, Downing Street has declined to provide specific details regarding conversations on sensitive topics, including MPs sanctioned by China, the Uyghur community, and Beijing's purchase of Russian oil amidst Western sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.
The government's official position calling for Jimmy Lai's immediate release remains unchanged, according to the Prime Minister's spokesman. Lai's son has described his father's five years in solitary confinement under Hong Kong's national security law as treatment amounting to "torture."
As Sir Keir Starmer concludes his visit to Shanghai, a global financial hub, the UK government has left open the possibility of a future state visit to Britain by President Xi, whose last official visit occurred in October 2015. The diplomatic and economic ramifications of this trip continue to unfold against a backdrop of complex international relations.
