UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Pushes for Closer China Ties Despite Trump Warning
Visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that Britain has a “huge amount to offer” China, following his effort to strengthen bilateral relations despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Starmer’s trip marks the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years and comes as several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, have recently engaged Beijing amid growing tensions with the United States.
Trump had cautioned on Thursday that it was “very dangerous” for Britain to engage closely with China. Starmer, however, downplayed the warning, noting that the UK had coordinated the visit with the U.S. and that Trump himself is expected to visit China in the coming months.
“The US and the UK are very close allies, and that’s why we discussed the visit with his team before we came,” Starmer said. “I don’t think it is wise for the UK to stick its head in the sand. China is the second-largest economy in the world.”
Beijing’s foreign ministry responded to Trump’s remarks by saying, “China is willing to strengthen cooperation with all countries in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win results.”
Meetings With Chinese Leaders
Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, with both sides emphasizing the importance of closer ties. He later addressed British and Chinese business representatives at the UK-China Business Forum at the Bank of China, saying the discussions had been productive.
“The UK has got a huge amount to offer,” Starmer said, adding that the meetings provided “just the level of engagement that we hoped for.”
Starmer signed several agreements during the visit, including a proposal for visa-free travel for British citizens visiting China for under 30 days. While no start date has been announced, the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed the deal is under consideration and will be publicized upon completion of necessary procedures.
Other agreements included cooperation on targeting supply chains used by migrant smugglers, British exports to China, health initiatives, and strengthening a bilateral trade commission. China also agreed to halve tariffs on British whisky to five percent.
Economic Deals and Investments
British companies secured £2.2 billion in export deals and £2.3 billion in market access wins over five years, alongside hundreds of millions in planned investments. AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $15 billion in China by 2030 for medicines manufacturing and research, while Chinese toy company Pop Mart will establish a regional hub in London and open 27 stores across Europe, including seven in the UK.
Broader Diplomatic Context
Xi told Starmer that the two countries should enhance dialogue and cooperation amid a “complex and intertwined” international environment. Relations between China and the UK had strained in 2020 after Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong and cracked down on pro-democracy activists. Despite this, China remains Britain’s third-largest trading partner.
During his trip, Starmer also visited Shanghai, speaking with students at the Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation, a joint institute between Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh. He is scheduled to continue his Asia tour with a brief stop in Japan on Saturday to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
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