Donald Trump warned that it was “very dangerous” for the UK to do business with China as Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai. The prime minister reached the city on the third day of his official visit. Trump reacted to new agreements designed to boost trade and investment between Britain and China. Officials announced those deals after Sir Keir met President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Trump spoke while attending the premiere of a documentary about his wife, Melania, on Thursday. He described Xi as a friend and said he knew the Chinese leader very well. He offered no further detail about his concerns over Britain’s engagement with China.
UK government pushes back against Trump
Business minister Sir Chris Bryant rejected Trump’s criticism. He said it would be bonkers for Britain to ignore China’s presence on the world stage. Bryant said the UK approached its relationship with China with its eyes wide open. He also pointed out that Trump is due to visit China himself in April.
Downing Street stressed that the US knew about Sir Keir’s trip in advance. Officials said Washington understood the purpose of the visit before it began. The government signalled it saw no surprise in Trump’s remarks.
Canada also targeted by US president
A reporter questioned Trump about Britain’s dealings with China at the film premiere. Trump answered briefly before shifting focus away from the UK. He said Canada faced even greater danger from closer economic ties with China. Trump claimed Canada was doing very poorly and should not look to China for answers.
Earlier in the week, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. He issued the warning after Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing. Canada discussed economic agreements during that visit.
Starmer highlights progress with Beijing
Sir Keir said the UK’s relationship with China 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 level of engagement Britain hoped for. He said both sides made genuine progress during discussions.
Sir Keir 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 meetings as warm and productive.
Trade deals and major investments announced
Several concrete outcomes followed the visit. Britain and China agreed on visa-free travel arrangements. They also agreed to reduce tariffs on whisky exports. AstraZeneca confirmed a £10.9bn investment to build manufacturing facilities in China.
The two governments also agreed to co-operate on tackling organised crime and illegal immigration. The agreement will allow intelligence sharing on people-smuggling supply routes. UK officials say inflatable dinghies used for small boat crossings often contain parts sourced in China.
Other deals aim to reduce red tape for British exporters. Britain and China also agreed to collaborate on health challenges. Officials highlighted antimicrobial resistance as a key area of concern.
Business leaders welcome engagement
The United States remained Britain’s largest single-country trading partner in 2025. China ranked fourth, according to official trade figures. Business groups followed Sir Keir’s visit closely.
Chris Torrens, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, praised the trip as successful. He said it made sense for Britain to engage with one of its biggest trading partners. Torrens said many Western leaders had recently visited Beijing or planned trips soon.
He added that the US criticised other economies for dealing with China. He said Washington itself might still reach a deal with Beijing this year.
Political backlash and security warnings
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 noted it was the first trip to China by a UK prime minister since 2018. Critics warned of risks to national security and pointed to China’s human rights record.
The UN has accused China of serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim groups. China also faces 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 in the process. He said he felt confident that authorities managed the risks appropriately.
