“Very Dangerous”: Trump Slams UK-China Engagement

US President Donald Trump has warned Britain against deepening business ties with China, even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the economic gains of resetting relations with Beijing during a visit on Friday (Jan 30).

Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping for three-hour talks, calling for a “more sophisticated relationship” that includes better market access, reduced tariffs and new investment deals. The discussions also touched on cultural ties, including football and Shakespeare.

In Washington, Trump responded bluntly to news of closer UK-China engagement, saying it would be “very dangerous,” though he offered no further details.

Starmer later told the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing that his meetings with Xi were “very warm” and had delivered tangible progress, including visa-free travel arrangements and lower whisky tariffs. He stressed that Britain did not need to choose between the United States and China, insisting the UK could maintain strong ties with both.