US President Donald Trump has warned that it would be “very dangerous” for America’s close ally Britain to deepen business ties with China, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump made the remarks while attending the premiere of a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump. When reporters asked him about Britain “getting into business” with China, he replied bluntly: “Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that.”
The comments come at a time when several Western nations are reassessing their relationship with China amid concerns over Washington’s growing unpredictability on foreign policy and trade. Starmer’s visit marks the first trip by a British prime minister to China in eight years.
Starmer Defends Engagement With China
During his visit, Starmer met Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials and signed multiple cooperation agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment. Responding to Trump’s criticism, Starmer said the UK could not afford to ignore China’s economic significance.
“It’s not wise to stick our head in the sand,” Starmer told Sky News. “China is the second biggest economy in the world. Along with Hong Kong, it’s our third-biggest trading partner. Through this visit, we’ve opened up lots of opportunities for jobs and wealth creation.”
China Responds, Calls for ‘Win-Win Cooperation’
Beijing reacted cautiously to Trump’s remarks. China’s foreign ministry said the country was “willing to strengthen cooperation with all countries in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win results,” signalling openness to continued engagement despite rising geopolitical tensions.
Trump Also Targets Canada Over China Ties
Trump’s warnings were not limited to Britain. After Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China earlier this month to discuss trade and tourism agreements, Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports.
Following his comments on Britain, Trump added, “It’s even more dangerous, I think, for Canada to get into business with China. Canada is not doing well. They’re doing very poorly, and you can’t look at China as the answer.”
Asia Trip Continues
Starmer is set to continue his Asia tour with a brief stop in Japan on Saturday, where he will meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The trip highlights the UK’s efforts to balance strategic alliances with economic engagement in an increasingly complex global landscape.