WASHINGTON/BEIJING: US President Donald Trump has warned Britain against deepening economic ties with China, calling such engagement “very dangerous”, even as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised progress in resetting relations with Beijing during a visit on Friday.
Trump made the remarks in Washington while responding to questions about Starmer’s outreach to China, but did not elaborate. His comments came as Starmer held extensive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese business leaders, promoting trade, investment and market access.
Starmer, who met Xi for more than three hours on Thursday, called for a “more sophisticated relationship” between London and Beijing. He said discussions covered improved market access, lower tariffs and investment opportunities, while also touching on cultural issues.
Addressing the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing, Starmer said his “very warm” meeting with Xi had delivered “real progress”, pointing to agreements on visa-free travel and reduced whisky tariffs as concrete outcomes. He said such steps were vital to building mutual trust and respect.
In Britain, Trade Department Minister Chris Bryant rejected Trump’s warning, saying the US president was “wrong” to describe UK engagement with China as dangerous. Speaking to the BBC, Bryant said Britain was approaching its relationship with China “with eyes wide open”.
Starmer, travelling onward to Shanghai, also met senior Chinese executives, including Chery CEO Yin Tongyue. During the visit, a city official said the Chinese automaker planned to open a research and development centre in Liverpool.
The British leader has prioritised improving ties with China as his Labour government seeks to boost economic growth since taking office in July 2024. His visit comes amid renewed uncertainty among US allies over Trump’s tariff threats and foreign policy positions.
Starmer stressed that closer ties with Beijing did not come at the expense of Britain’s relationship with Washington. Speaking to reporters en route to China, he said the UK would not be forced to choose between the US and China, citing strong cooperation with Washington on defence, security, intelligence and trade.
A British government official said Washington had been given advance notice of Starmer’s objectives for the China trip. Trump is scheduled to visit Britain in September, when £150 billion in US investment is expected to be unveiled.
Before Trump’s remarks, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed scepticism about Britain’s China outreach, saying exporting to China was extremely difficult and unlikely to yield major benefits. He added that tariffs on Britain were unlikely unless London took a hostile stance toward Washington.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to visit China soon, following recent trips by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring growing European engagement with Beijing despite US warnings.