Washington/Beijing/London: US President Donald Trump has sharply warned Britain against deepening business relations with China, calling such moves “very dangerous” for the United Kingdom during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing visit to Beijing.
Speaking to reporters in Washington while attending the premiere of a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump—as reported by NDTV—the US president was asked about the UK’s efforts to strengthen economic engagement with China. Trump responded bluntly: “Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that.” “Canada’s not doing well, they’re doing very poorly. And you can’t look at China as the answer,” Trump said, as reported by New York Times.
Developments come amid ‘China-Canada bonhomie’
His remarks reflect growing friction between Washington’s more confrontational stance toward Beijing and the diplomatic approach being taken by allied governments in Europe. Trump also reiterated criticism aimed at Canada for its own China engagement, suggesting such ties pose risks to Western allies.
Earlier, Canada PM Mark Carney had made a recent high-profile trip to China, as some US allies tried to diversify their trading relationships and reduce reliance on the United States, as per the New York Times report. According to the report, Carney had said Canada would lower tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles. China in turn had reportedly offered to do the same for Canadian canola products.
Keir Starmer became the British prime minister to visit China in eight years
UK PM Keir Starmer also became the British prime minister to visit China in eight years, part of an effort to reset bilateral economic relations, during his ongoing trip to the country.
During three-hour talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both sides struck cooperation agreements that included:
Lower tariffs on British goods, including Scotch
whisky.
Visa-free travel for some British visitors to China.
Moves toward greater market access and investment opportunities.
“Although no sweeping free trade deal was reached, the visit marked a cautious but tangible reset of UK–China economic ties. Agreements on visas, services, healthcare, green technology and finance, combined with revived dialogue, might lead to better access for British firms to Chinese markets and greater Chinese investment in the UK,” reported the BBC.
‘Would be unwise for the UK to ignore China’s position in world economy…’
Starmer defended his outreach to Beijing, telling Sky News that it would be unwise for the UK to “stick its head in the sand” and ignore China’s position as the world’s second-largest economy and a key trading partner. He argued that deeper engagement could create jobs and growth for the UK.
A Downing Street official insisted that Washington had been briefed in advance about the objectives of Starmer’s trip, and that the UK intends to balance its economic interests with security and defence ties to the United States, reported The Guardian.
Trump’s caution comes amid broader international debate over how Western nations should navigate relations with China, particularly as leaders from France, Germany and others have also pursued closer economic involvement with Beijing. Analysts say Trump’s unpredictability on trade and diplomacy has prompted some traditional U.S. allies to diversify their global partnerships.
Asked about Trump’s remarks, Starmer told Sky News: “I don’t think it’s wise for the United Kingdom to stick its head in the sand. China is the second biggest economy in the world. It’s along with Hong Kong, our third biggest trading partner. And through this visit, we’ve opened up lots of opportunities for jobs and wealth creation back in the United Kingdom.”
In an interview to BBC Breakfast, the trade minister, Chris Bryant—while commenting on Trump’s remark—said: “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, and as I understand it, President Trump is going to China himself in April.
Despite the warning from Washington, British officials are pushing forward with their Asia tour, with Starmer scheduled to stop in Japan next to further bolster economic ties in the region. The UK prime minister will meet his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, for a working dinner in Tokyo.