Donald Trump called it “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 to China. Trump reacted to new agreements designed to increase trade and investment between Britain and China. Officials announced those deals after Sir Keir met President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Trump spoke at 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. Trump did not expand on his criticism of Britain beyond those remarks.
UK ministers reject Trump’s criticism
Business minister Sir Chris Bryant dismissed Trump’s comments as wrong. He said it would be bonkers for Britain to ignore China’s role on the world stage. Bryant said the UK engaged with China while keeping its eyes wide open. He also noted that Trump plans to visit China himself in April.
Downing Street responded by stressing that Washington knew about the trip in advance. Officials said US counterparts understood the visit’s aims before it began. Sir Keir’s team sought to play down any diplomatic rift with the White House.
Trump shifts focus to Canada
A reporter asked Trump about Britain’s business links with China at the film premiere. Trump quickly pivoted away from the UK after his brief answer. He said Canada faced even greater danger from dealing with China. Trump claimed Canada performed poorly and should not see China as the solution.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened tariffs on Canada. He issued that warning after Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing. Canada discussed new economic agreements during that trip.
Starmer praises talks with Xi
Sir Keir described UK-China relations as strong after meeting Xi. He spoke following talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. On Friday, he said the meetings delivered exactly the engagement Britain wanted. He said both sides made real progress during the 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 atmosphere as warm and constructive.
Deals on visas, trade and investment
Several agreements emerged from Sir Keir’s visit. Britain and China agreed to visa-free travel arrangements. They also agreed to reduce tariffs on whisky. AstraZeneca announced a £10.9bn investment to build manufacturing facilities in China.
Both governments also agreed to co-operate on tackling organised crime and illegal immigration. The deal will allow intelligence sharing on people-smuggling routes. UK officials say inflatable dinghies used for Channel crossings often include parts from China.
Other agreements target red tape for UK exporters. Britain and China also agreed to collaborate on health challenges. Officials highlighted antimicrobial resistance as a shared concern.
Trade figures and business reaction
The United States ranked as Britain’s largest single-country trading partner in 2025. China ranked fourth, according to government trade data. Business leaders have watched the 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 largest trading partners. Torrens said many Western leaders recently visited Beijing or planned trips soon.
He also said the US criticised others for dealing with China. He added that Washington might still strike its own deal with Beijing this year.
Opposition criticism and security concerns
Sir Keir arrived in Shanghai on Friday morning. The city marked his final stop in China before traveling to Tokyo. He plans to meet Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi for a working dinner.
Opposition MPs criticised the visit strongly. They said it marked the first UK prime ministerial trip since 2018. Critics warned about risks to national security and 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 in prison.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Sir Keir of kowtowing to Xi. He claimed the government traded national security for economic crumbs. Earlier this month, ministers faced similar criticism over plans for a large new Chinese embassy in 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 any risks appropriately.
