Starmer’s UK Trip to China Sparks U.S. Concern Over ‘Very Dangerous’ Trade Relations

US President Donald Trump warned against Britain getting involved in business ties with Beijing as Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the economic benefits of resetting relations with China during a recent visit there. As Western leaders grapple with uncertainty from Trump’s unpredictability, Starmer is now heading to China for talks.

In three-hour meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, Starmer called for a “more sophisticated relationship” with improved market access, lower tariffs, and investment deals. They also discussed topics like soccer and Shakespeare.

Back in Washington, Trump responded to questions about closer ties by saying, “It’s very dangerous for them to do that.” He was talking ahead of the premiere of the “Melania” film at the Kennedy Center.

Trump, who plans to visit China again in April, had threatened tariffs on Canada last week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made economic deals with Beijing. Downing Street and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Starmer told a meeting of the UK-China Business Forum that his “very warm” meetings with Xi provided “just the level of engagement we hoped for.” He highlighted deals on visa-free travel and lower whisky tariffs as important access points, symbolic of progress made in their relationship.

Starmer, whose centre-left Labour government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, sees improving relations with China’s second-largest economy as a priority. His recent visit comes amid Trump’s erratic trade threats and pledges, which have rattled longstanding US allies, including Britain.

The UK holds close ties with the United States in areas such as defense, security, intelligence, and trade. Starmer suggested Britain could strengthen economic ties with China without angering Trump due to their shared history.

Starmer has been more willing to defy Trump in recent weeks, urging him to apologize for controversial remarks about NATO troops and Greenland. In December, French President Emmanuel Macron visited China. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to travel there soon.

Before his comments on stronger ties with China, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said it was unlikely Starmer’s efforts would pay off due to the Chinese’s status as major exporters. Trump might threaten tariffs against Britain like he did Canada, although Lutnick believes a direct confrontation from the British leader is needed for such an action to occur.