Speaking to reporters during the visit, Trump expressed serious concern about the growing economic engagement between London and Beijing but did not provide detailed specifics on potential consequences for the U.K.
'Well, it's very dangerous for them to do that,' Trump said when asked about the United Kingdom deepening ties with China. His remarks reflected Washington's broader scepticism toward closer Western commercial and strategic engagement with Beijing, even as Starmer was in China pursuing expanded cooperation.
Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years, had been working to reset relations with President Xi Jinping. The leaders announced several landmark agreements, including 30‑day visa‑free travel for British citizens in China and reduced tariffs on Scotch whisky, moves designed to boost trade and mutual investment.
Starmer described the tone of his talks with Xi as 'very warm and constructive' and stressed that the United Kingdom had 'a huge amount to offer' China in terms of business opportunities.
Despite Starmer's efforts to balance economic goals with concerns about human rights and security, Trump's comments underscored ongoing tensions between the United States and its allies over China's role in global supply chains and economic systems.
U.S. officials have long cautioned that deepening commercial ties with Beijing could expose Western economies to undue influence and create strategic vulnerabilities, a view Trump reiterated with his warning.
Analysts say Trump's remarks reflect a broader trend in Washington to view China not only as a competitor but as a geopolitical rival whose growing influence could challenge U.S. leadership and that of its traditional allies. The warning to the U.K. was echoed in Trump's criticism of Canada for similarly expanding economic engagement with China.
British officials, for their part, emphasized that the agreements reached with China are not part of a formal free‑trade pact but are intended to expand practical cooperation while safeguarding national interests.
Starmer has sought to reassure both domestic critics and international partners that the U.K. is capable of fostering a 'sophisticated' relationship with China that includes frank discussions on security issues such as espionage and human rights, including concerns over the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Rania Umutoni
