As UK Cozies Up to China, Trump Blasts Move as ‘Very Dangerous’
President Trump is again cautioning US allies about drawing closer to Beijing, this time as the United Kingdom deepens its engagement. As Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded hours of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and praised what he called “real progress” on trade, Trump told reporters in Washington that it would be “very dangerous” for Britain to strengthen business ties with China, according to Reuters. He did not elaborate on the remark, which he made ahead of the Kennedy Center premiere of the film Melania.
Starmer, whose Labour government has struggled to accelerate economic growth since taking office in 2024, is betting that improved relations with the world’s second-largest economy could help. Speaking at a UK-China Business Forum, he highlighted visa-free travel arrangements and reduced tariffs on whisky as early signs of progress, describing them as symbols of a broader effort to build “mutual trust and respect.” CNBC reported that UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca also plans to invest $15 billion in China through 2030.
A Beijing official said Starmer met with several executives during his visit, including the head of automaker Chery, which plans to establish a commercial-vehicle research and development center in Liverpool, Reuters reported. British officials have emphasized that the outreach to China does not signal a shift away from the United States. Starmer said the UK’s defense, security, intelligence, and trade relationships with the US remain among its closest, and officials noted that Washington was briefed in advance on his China agenda. The Associated Press reported that Starmer traveled on to Shanghai to continue promoting business opportunities for British companies.
President Trump has recently threatened tariffs on Canada over its own outreach to Beijing. His commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, expressed skepticism that Britain would gain much from deeper ties with China, describing it as a difficult export market and wishing the British “good luck,” according to Reuters.
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