UK Ties to China Pose "Very Dangerous" Risks, Warns Trump Amid Starmer's Beijing Trip
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the UK, labeling its pursuit of closer economic ties with China as "very dangerous". The remarks came just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's three-hour talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he secured improved market access and investment deals.
Starmer's visit was seen as a significant step towards thawing strained relations between the UK and China, which had been cooled by intense US-China rivalry. However, Trump's comments on BBC Breakfast that pursuing closer ties with China is "very dangerous" could create unease at Downing Street, where he has previously demonstrated unpredictability in his views on global affairs.
Trump's hostility towards China is well-documented, and his long-held gripes about trade practices, intellectual property theft, and security concerns have raised tensions between the US and Chinese governments. The UK's decision to forge closer economic ties with Beijing despite these tensions may be seen as a calculated move by Starmer to maintain business relationships and avoid being caught in the middle of Washington's China policy.
Despite Trump's warnings, some experts see his comments as out of line with reality. The chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China said that pursuing trade with China is "a smart move" for the UK, adding that it can help strengthen economic ties without harming relations with the US.
Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that the UK will maintain close ties with both the US and China, a stance echoed by commerce secretary Howard Lutnick. However, Trump's comments on BBC Breakfast could cast doubt on this assertion, at least in terms of how far London is willing to go to balance its economic interests with US security concerns.
The visit to Beijing comes as part of Starmer's diplomatic push to build stronger ties with Asia and hedge against the uncertainty posed by a presidency that often seems hell-bent on challenging established norms.
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the UK, labeling its pursuit of closer economic ties with China as "very dangerous". The remarks came just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's three-hour talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he secured improved market access and investment deals.
Starmer's visit was seen as a significant step towards thawing strained relations between the UK and China, which had been cooled by intense US-China rivalry. However, Trump's comments on BBC Breakfast that pursuing closer ties with China is "very dangerous" could create unease at Downing Street, where he has previously demonstrated unpredictability in his views on global affairs.
Trump's hostility towards China is well-documented, and his long-held gripes about trade practices, intellectual property theft, and security concerns have raised tensions between the US and Chinese governments. The UK's decision to forge closer economic ties with Beijing despite these tensions may be seen as a calculated move by Starmer to maintain business relationships and avoid being caught in the middle of Washington's China policy.
Despite Trump's warnings, some experts see his comments as out of line with reality. The chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China said that pursuing trade with China is "a smart move" for the UK, adding that it can help strengthen economic ties without harming relations with the US.
Starmer has repeatedly emphasized that the UK will maintain close ties with both the US and China, a stance echoed by commerce secretary Howard Lutnick. However, Trump's comments on BBC Breakfast could cast doubt on this assertion, at least in terms of how far London is willing to go to balance its economic interests with US security concerns.
The visit to Beijing comes as part of Starmer's diplomatic push to build stronger ties with Asia and hedge against the uncertainty posed by a presidency that often seems hell-bent on challenging established norms.
. He's always causing tension wherever he goes, and now he's warning the UK about China? Like, hello, he's the one who's been making all these crazy moves against China in the first place 
. The UK is just trying to make some business deals and get some investment, what's wrong with that? 
I mean, I know Trump has his security concerns and all, but come on, can't we just have a rational discussion about this stuff without him throwing around "very dangerous" labels? 
. Just great.
I get why Starmer's trying to keep the peace, but Trump's comments are like, totally unhelpful. They just create more tension and uncertainty for everyone involved. The UK's gotta navigate its own interests without getting caught in the middle of US-China politics... this isn't going to end well 
china is just another country trying to make a buck & trade deals are a normal part of business...i get why starmer would wanna do this 4 the UK's economy but trump's being super aggressive & it's like he thinks china's gonna invade us or somethin? 
I think Trump's comments are way overreacting, China is just another big player in the global economy & trade 
. The UK needs to be pragmatic about its economic interests, especially with Brexit still affecting the market 
. If they want to build stronger ties with Asia, it's time to stop worrying about what Washington thinks 
. Starmer knows what he's doing, no need for Trump's drama 
.
. Like, what's wrong with a little economic boost? And Starmer's just trying to be diplomatic as always 
. I mean, can't we all just get along and trade some goods or something? 
. Either way, it's gonna be a tricky balancing act for the UK, especially with trade deals on the line 
. They're already taking some major steps towards trade with China, and it's not like they're gonna start trading secrets with Beijing 
. It's all about finding that sweet spot where everyone wins, you know? Maybe we can learn from the UK's approach and take a more level-headed stance on our own trade deals 
. Trump's comments are not just a warning, but also a reflection of how fragile global relationships can be. The fact that Starmer is trying to balance business with security concerns makes me wonder if the UK is prioritizing its own interests over being a responsible global player 
. We need more leaders like Biden who prioritize diplomacy and cooperation over protectionism and fear-mongering 
. How can we trust our kids' future when world leaders are making decisions based on short-term gains rather than long-term thinking? 
The UK is just trying to diversify its trade and economy, especially after Brexit. Starmer's visit to China was about building new relationships and creating opportunities for businesses, not about taking sides in the US-China rivalry. 
Of course, there are risks involved, but I think the UK has thought this through. The fact that experts say it's a "smart move" and won't harm relations with the US is reassuring. 
We need to be open to new markets and investments, especially in an uncertain world. 
... unless, of course, Trump is right and it's all going to blow up in their faces 
. Can't we just have multiple perspectives on this without agreeing or disagreeing? 
. The UK needs to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on the US, especially after Brexit 
. Trump might be having some issues with his own administration, but that doesn't mean he gets to dictate policy to our country too 
. China isn't going anywhere, so might as well make friends with them while you can