Donald Trump warned that doing business with China posed serious risks for the UK as Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai. The prime minister reached the city on the third day of his official China visit. Trump reacted to agreements designed to boost trade and investment between Britain and China. Officials announced those agreements after Sir Keir met President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Trump made the remarks while attending a documentary premiere about his wife, Melania, on Thursday. He referred to Xi as a friend and said he knew the Chinese leader very well. Trump did not offer further explanation of his warning about Britain’s China policy.
London rejects criticism from Washington
Business minister Sir Chris Bryant dismissed Trump’s comments outright. He said it would be bonkers for Britain to ignore China’s role on the world stage. Bryant said the UK approached relations with China with full awareness of the risks involved. He also noted that Trump plans to visit China himself in April.
Downing Street said US officials knew about the trip in advance. Government sources said Washington understood the visit’s objectives beforehand. Ministers played down claims of any diplomatic rift.
Trump widens warning to Canada
A reporter asked Trump about Britain’s China ties at the film premiere. Trump responded briefly before shifting the focus away from the UK. He said Canada faced an 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 to impose tariffs on Canada. He issued the warning after Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Beijing. Canadian officials discussed economic agreements during that visit.
Starmer signals confidence after Xi talks
Sir Keir said the UK’s relationship with China stood in a good and strong place. He spoke after talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. On Friday, he said the meetings delivered the engagement Britain had hoped for. He said both sides made real progress.
Sir Keir later addressed the UK-China Business Forum at the Bank of China in Beijing. He said Britain had a huge amount to offer China. He described the talks as warm and constructive.
Trade, travel and investment deals emerge
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 announced 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 include parts sourced in China.
Other agreements aim to reduce red tape for British exporters. Britain and China also committed to collaboration on health challenges. Officials highlighted antimicrobial resistance as a shared priority.
Business figures back closer ties
The United States remained Britain’s largest single-country trading partner in 2025. China ranked fourth, according to official trade figures. Business groups 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 biggest trading partners. Torrens said many Western leaders had recently visited Beijing or planned trips soon.
He said the US criticised other economies for dealing with China. He added that Washington itself might still reach an agreement with Beijing this year.
Political backlash and security concerns
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 strongly. They said it marked the first trip to China by a UK prime minister since 2018. Critics warned of risks to national security and cited China’s human rights record.
The UN has accused China of serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim groups. China has also faced 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.
