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Sir Keir Starmer has turned his back on donald trump warns Doing business with China would be “very dangerous” because Prime Minister During his controversial trip to the country, he continued his efforts to strengthen economic ties.
Prime Minister meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping In Beijing on Thursday, he pushed for the creation of a “more sophisticated” trade relations between uk and China.
But hours after the landmark meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump Although the US president plans to personally visit China in April, he has expressed disapproval of British efforts to do business with China.
Asked by reporters earlier on Friday about the visit, he said: “Well, it’s very dangerous They do that and I think it’s more dangerous for Canada to do business with them China“.
He added that Canada’s performance was “poor” and said “you can’t just look at China as an answer”.
But speaking to broadcasters in Shanghai, Sir Keir seemed unfazed by the US president’s warning, telling Sky News: “I saw President Trump’s comments. I think, to be fair, he was probably talking more about Canada than the UK.”
He added that the United States and Britain remained “very close allies” and said his visit to China had been discussed with Trump’s team in advance, noting the president’s upcoming trip to China in April.
Sir Keir and President Xi have agreed on Scotch whiskey tariffs, which will be halved to 5% and Visa-free travel to China For British tourists and businesses. Following talks with Sir Keir, President Xi Jinping also agreed to lift Chinese sanctions on British MPs and counterparts, including travel bans.
In early January, after Canada’s Prime Minister was elected, Trump threatened to impose 100% export tariffs on Canada Mark Carney During his visit to China, he established closer economic ties.
British officials insisted the United States had advance knowledge of Sir Keir’s trip and its objectives, noting that Trump himself was expected to visit China in April.
Mr Trump’s comments were rebuked by Mr Trade Secretary Kris Bryant On Friday, he said his comments about Britain’s trade prospects were “wrong”.
Questioner bbc breakfast If the US president was wrong in his remarks, Trade Secretary Sir Kris Bryant said: “Yes, he is wrong and I say that precisely because, apart from other factors, he himself said in his own statement that he was a friend of President Xi and I understand that President Trump will be traveling to China in person in April.”
he added Would be ‘absolutely crazy’ for Britain Not engaging with China.
“I agree… certainly you have to look at the relationship with China with your eyes wide open,” he told Sky News.
“You have to challenge China on issues we disagree with, but you have to face the fact that China is a world power.
“It’s the world’s second largest economy and our fourth largest export market. So the UK would be absolutely crazy not to engage with China.”
The US president’s remarks come as Sir Keir is about to arrive in Shanghai, a large financial centre, for the next leg of his trip.
His visit to China’s largest city and global financial center will cap off a contentious trip in which the prime minister’s political opponents accused him of “kowtowing” to Xi Jinping.
In his meeting with Xi Jinping, Sir Keir highlighted the economic benefits of improving relations with China, a key part of global supply chains.
The administration has been trying to balance China-U.S. relations amid calls from the U.S. president to reduce reliance on China for trade.
Before setting off, Sir Keir told Bloomberg he would not choose between the two washington and Beijing: “I’m often asked to choose between countries. I don’t do that,” he said.
“We have a very close relationship with the United States and we certainly want and we will maintain that business as well as security and defence.
“Similarly, it would be unwise to just bury your head in the sand and ignore China when it is the world’s second-largest economy and business opportunities exist.”
The 10th also opened the door for Xi Jinping to visit the UK in the future. Xi Jinping’s last state visit to the UK was in October 2015.
This is the first visit to China by a British Prime Minister since 2018. Sir Keir faces calls to increase prison terms for Chinese people. Hongkong Democracy activist Jimmy Lai and China’s leaders’ treatment of the Uyghur minority.
He said they had a “respectful discussion” about the issues which was “an important part of the reason for participating”.
downing street Refusing to disclose details of discussions on controversial issues, including Mr. Lai, the Uyghur community, member of congress Sanctioned by China and China BeijingThe purchase of Russian oil has been subject to Western sanctions to undermine its war effort in Ukraine.
His official spokesman would not say whether Sir Keir had told the Chinese president that Mr Lai should be released, but said the government’s position on calling for Mr Lai’s immediate release had not changed.
Mr Lai’s son said the 78-year-old Briton had been held in solitary confinement for five years to receive medical treatment, which amounted to “torture”. HongkongNew national security law.