Donald Trump warned that business with China posed serious danger for the UK as Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai. The prime minister reached the city on the third day of his China visit. Trump reacted to agreements designed to expand trade and investment between Britain and China. Officials announced those deals after Sir Keir met President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Trump delivered the comments while attending a documentary premiere about his wife, Melania, on Thursday. He described Xi as a friend and said he knew the Chinese president very well. Trump offered no further explanation of his concerns about Britain’s China policy.
UK ministers push back firmly
Business minister Sir Chris Bryant rejected Trump’s assessment. He said it would be bonkers for Britain to ignore China’s position on the global stage. Bryant said the UK managed its relationship with China with full awareness of the risks. He also noted that Trump plans to visit China himself in April.
Downing Street stressed that US officials knew about the visit in advance. Government sources said Washington understood the objectives before the trip began. Officials sought to calm speculation about tensions with the White House.
Canada drawn into Trump’s warning
A reporter questioned Trump about Britain’s China ties at the film premiere. Trump answered briefly before shifting focus. He said Canada faced even greater danger from economic engagement with China. Trump said Canada performed poorly and should not look to China for solutions.
Earlier in the week, Trump threatened tariffs on Canada. He issued the warning after Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Beijing. Canadian officials discussed economic agreements during that visit.
Starmer highlights progress with Beijing
Sir Keir said the UK’s relationship with China stood in a good and strong place. He spoke after meeting Xi at the Great Hall of the People. On Friday, he said the talks delivered the engagement Britain had hoped for. He said both sides achieved meaningful progress.
Sir Keir later addressed the UK-China Business Forum at the Bank of China in Beijing. He said Britain had a great deal to offer China. He described the discussions as warm and productive.
Deals cover trade, travel and security
Several outcomes followed Sir Keir’s visit. Britain and China agreed on visa-free travel arrangements. They also agreed to reduce tariffs on whisky exports. AstraZeneca confirmed a £10.9bn investment to build manufacturing facilities in China.
Both governments also agreed to co-operate on organised crime and illegal immigration. The agreement allows intelligence sharing on people-smuggling supply routes. UK officials say inflatable dinghies used in small boat crossings often contain parts sourced in China.
Other agreements aim to cut red tape for British exporters. Britain and China also committed to collaboration on health challenges. Officials identified antimicrobial resistance as a shared priority.
Business community welcomes engagement
The United States remained Britain’s largest single-country trading partner in 2025. China ranked fourth, according to official trade figures. Business leaders closely followed Sir Keir’s visit.
Chris Torrens, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, described the trip as successful. He said Britain should engage with one of its largest trading partners. Torrens said many Western leaders had recently visited Beijing or planned visits soon.
He said the US criticised other economies for striking deals with China. He added that Washington itself might still reach an agreement with Beijing this year.
Political criticism and human rights focus
Sir Keir arrived in Shanghai on Friday morning. The city marked his final stop in China. He plans to travel next to Tokyo for a working dinner with Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi.
Opposition MPs criticised the visit sharply. They noted it was the first China trip by a UK prime minister since 2018. Critics warned of national security risks and highlighted China’s human rights record.
The UN has accused China of serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim groups. China also faces criticism over the treatment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Lai faces a possible life sentence.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Sir Keir of bowing to President Xi. He said the government traded national security for economic crumbs. Ministers faced similar criticism earlier this month over plans for a large new Chinese embassy in central London.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis defended that decision. He said intelligence agencies played an integral role. He said authorities managed the risks appropriately.
