The United Kingdom is advancing efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with China, even as U.S. President Donald Trump criticized closer engagement, describing it as “very dangerous.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer completed an official visit to Beijing, marking the first by a British prime minister in eight years. During the trip, Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior Chinese leaders, resulting in several agreements aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation. These include visa-free travel for UK passport holders for stays up to 30 days, and a reduction of China’s import tariffs on British whisky from 10% to 5%, moves seen as symbolic of upgraded relations with the world’s second-largest economy.
Starmer described the agreements as a foundation for long-term cooperation that could help accelerate economic growth and expand trade and investment. Talks also covered broader cooperation in sectors such as finance, education, health and technology. The Prime Minister acknowledged that relations with China had previously deteriorated, particularly over issues such as national security concerns and human rights, but emphasized the importance of engagement to advance the UK’s economic interests.
The visit also included commitments from major UK companies, with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announcing plans to invest over US$15 billion in China through 2030 to expand manufacturing and research operations.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong criticism of Starmer’s engagement with Beijing, warning that closer business ties with China were “very dangerous,” reflecting broader tensions between Washington and its traditional allies over economic relations with Beijing.
