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During Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ongoing visit to Beijing, former US President Donald Trump voiced strong concerns about the UK expanding its business relations with China. Trump described such dealings as “very dangerous,” responding to recent agreements that aim to boost commerce and investments between the two nations. These pacts were announced after Sir Keir held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his three-day trip.
Trump’s caution extended beyond the UK; he also expressed similar apprehensions regarding Canada’s economic ties with China. Speaking at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, Trump warned that engaging with China was risky not only for the UK but “even more dangerous” for Canada. He added that Canada’s economic performance was suffering and cautioned that China “is not the answer.” Earlier in the week, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on Canada if it pursued deals struck with China, reflecting his broader skepticism towards such partnerships.
In contrast, Downing Street reassured that the US had been informed about Sir Keir’s visit and its purposes beforehand. They also highlighted that Trump himself was scheduled to visit China in April. Meanwhile, Sir Keir expressed optimism about the state of UK-China relations, describing them as “good, strong,” following his discussions with President Xi held at the Great Hall of the People. Speaking at the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing, he emphasized the progress made, stating, “We warmly engaged and made some real progress, actually, because the UK has got a huge amount to offer.”
The visit saw numerous agreements not only focused on business cooperation but also tackling issues such as organized crime and illegal immigration. Chris Torrens, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, called the visit “successful,” underscoring the importance of China as one of the UK’s significant trading partners. He pointed out that several Western leaders had recently visited or planned to visit Beijing, including Trump, who is expected to go in April. Torrens observed the paradox of the US imposing sanctions and tariffs on countries dealing with China while potentially negotiating its own agreements with the nation. Sir Keir was scheduled to conclude his Chinese visit with a stop in Shanghai before heading to Tokyo for talks with his Japanese counterpart. However, the trip drew criticism from opposition figures, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp accusing Sir Keir of submitting to President Xi and compromising national security for economic benefits. According to the Department for Business and Trade, in 2025 the US remained the UK’s largest trading partner, with China ranked fourth
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