Donald Trump warned that doing 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 did not provide further detail about his concerns over Britain’s China strategy.
UK ministers dismiss Trump’s remarks
Business minister Sir Chris Bryant rejected Trump’s criticism. He said Britain would act bonkers by ignoring China’s role on the world stage. Bryant said the UK engaged with China while fully recognising the risks. He also noted that Trump plans to visit China himself in April.
Downing Street said US officials knew about the visit in advance. Government sources said Washington understood the objectives before the trip began. Ministers played down suggestions of diplomatic strain.
Trump turns fire on Canada
A reporter asked Trump about Britain’s China ties at the film premiere. Trump answered briefly before shifting attention away from the UK. He said Canada faced even greater danger from economic engagement with China. Trump said Canada performed badly and should not view China as a solution.
Earlier in the week, Trump threatened tariffs against Canada. He issued the warning after Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Beijing. Canadian officials discussed economic agreements during that visit.
Starmer expresses optimism after Xi talks
Sir Keir said the UK-China relationship 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 made real 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 span 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 announced a £10.9bn investment to build manufacturing facilities in China.
Both governments agreed to co-operate on organised crime and illegal immigration. The agreement allows intelligence sharing on people-smuggling supply routes. UK officials say small boat dinghies 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 leaders welcome engagement
The United States ranked as 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, praised the trip as successful. He said Britain should engage with one of its largest trading partners. Torrens said many Western leaders recently visited Beijing or planned visits soon.
He said the US criticised other economies for deals with China. He added that Washington might still reach its own agreement with Beijing this year.
Political backlash and rights concerns grow
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 said the trip marked the first by a UK prime minister since 2018. Critics warned about national security risks and highlighted China’s human rights record.
The UN says Chinese authorities committed serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim groups. Critics also condemn China’s treatment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Courts could sentence Lai to life in prison.
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.
