Trump warns UK over closer business ties with China amid Starmer visit

WEB DESK: US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Britain, saying that deepening business relations with China could be “very dangerous.” He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters in Washington, and similarly cautioned Canada, calling such engagement “even more dangerous.”

The comments came shortly after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded a historic three-day visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years. During the visit, Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for three hours of talks, describing the discussions as “very warm” and productive.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a series of concrete measures during his visit aimed at strengthening UK–China relations, including the introduction of visa-free travel for British citizens to China for stays of up to 30 days, reduced tariffs on Scotch whisky, and expanded market access for UK businesses in the Chinese market.

Speaking at a business forum in Beijing, Starmer emphasised that the UK seeks a smarter, stronger relationship with China while maintaining strong ties with the United States, saying Britain does not have to “pick sides” in the US-China rivalry.

Geopolitical Tensions

Relations between the UK and China have historically been strained over issues such as human rights and Hong Kong. Starmer’s visit aims to rebuild economic and trade links, particularly as global trade conditions remain uncertain.

Trump’s warning highlights ongoing US sensitivity to Western countries expanding commercial engagement with China. While the US has previously threatened tariffs on other allies over similar concerns, Trump himself plans a visit to China in April 2026 and has described Xi Jinping as a “friend” in the past.