“Very Dangerous”: US President Warns UK On China Ties

US President Donald Trump has warned that it is “very dangerous” for the UK to deepen commercial engagement with China, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the economic benefits of rebuilding ties with Beijing.

Trump’s remarks came after Starmer held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. During the visit, the UK prime minister called for a “more sophisticated” relationship with China and secured visa-free entry for British citizens for up to 30 days, along with lower Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Melania Trump’s premiere at the Kennedy Center, the US president was asked about the UK’s growing business ties with China. He declined to comment further on Britain, instead shifting focus to Canada and issuing a similar warning. Trump said such ties were “even more dangerous” for Canada and added that he would consider tariffs if Ottawa moved ahead with economic deals reached with China during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing earlier this week.

Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years. With his centre-left Labour government under pressure over sluggish economic growth, he has made closer relations with the world’s second-largest economy a key priority.

Chris Torrens, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said Starmer’s visit delivered positive outcomes. He noted that several Western leaders have either recently visited Beijing or are expected to do so in the coming months, including Trump, who is expected to travel there in April.