U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that it would be “very dangerous” for the United Kingdom to deepen business and trade relations with China, intervening publicly as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer seeks to reset ties with Beijing. Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters in the United States, casting doubt on closer economic engagement between close Western allies and the world’s second-largest economy.
Trump’s comments came as Starmer undertook a high-profile visit to China, the first by a British prime minister in several years, aimed at improving diplomatic relations and securing economic opportunities for UK businesses. During the visit, Starmer held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior officials, presenting the UK’s approach as one of pragmatic engagement that recognises China’s global economic importance while remaining alert to security and strategic risks.
Asked about the UK’s outreach to Beijing, Trump said dealing with China was “very dangerous” and suggested similar concerns applied to other Western countries, including Canada. He did not provide detailed reasoning but has consistently portrayed China as a strategic rival, accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices and warning allies against dependence on Chinese investment, technology and supply chains.
In London, UK officials played down the remarks, stressing that Britain would continue to make its own foreign-policy and trade decisions. Starmer responded by saying that China could not simply be ignored and that the UK needed a “grown-up” and realistic relationship with Beijing. He emphasised that engagement did not mean abandoning concerns over national security, human rights or international law, but rather balancing economic interests with caution.
Downing Street sources also indicated that the UK had kept close allies informed about the China visit in advance and that relations with Washington remained strong. Government ministers reiterated that the UK’s strategy was to diversify trade partnerships while maintaining its long-standing alliance with the United States.
Analysts say Trump’s intervention highlights ongoing divisions among Western allies over how to handle relations with China. While the U.S. has adopted an increasingly confrontational stance, many European countries, including the UK, are seeking limited cooperation with Beijing to support economic growth. The disagreement underscores the challenge facing allied governments as they navigate competition, cooperation and security concerns in an increasingly complex global landscape.
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