Trump slams Starmer doing business with China as ‘very dangerous’ | UK | News
Chinese dictator Xi Jinping may go to England (Image: Getty)
US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Britain about establishing trade relations with China, describing it as “very dangerous”.
Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Center on Thursday during the premiere of the movie “Melania,” Trump was questioned about Britain’s commitment to deepening trade cooperation with China.
“It’s very dangerous for them to do this, and I think it’s even more dangerous for Canada to do business with China,” he told reporters.
“Canada is not doing well. It’s doing very badly, and you can’t look to China for the answer.”
“I know China very well. I know President Xi is my friend. I know him very well.”
“But that’s a big hurdle to overcome when you get Canada.”
Starmer opens the door to Xi’s UK visit
Keir Starmer sparked controversy on Wednesday after leaving the door open for Chinese dictator Xi Jinping to travel to the UK.
The Prime Minister appears willing to consider hosting the Communist leader after rapprochement between them during his visit to China.
But this potential move is expected to trigger fierce debate, especially given that the five MPs are banned from entering China.
Sir Keir and President Xi held “warm” talks in Beijing on Thursday, signaling a thaw in relations between China and the UK.
The strengthening relationship between the two and their mutual passion for football increased the chances of the visit taking place.
President Xi’s previous trip to the UK took place in 2015, when he had a beer in a bar with then-Prime Minister David Cameron.
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Downing Street refuses to rule out visit
Asked whether Sir Keir wanted Xi to come to Britain, his spokesman said: “I think the Prime Minister is clear that relations with China are no longer in an ice age and that restarting them would be beneficial for the British people and British business.”
“I will not stand in the way of future agreements, we will deal with them as normal.”
Alternatively, President Xi could make a full state visit, but in this case he would need to be personally invited by King Charles.
But any trip by the Chinese leader risks triggering serious anger.
Beyond the MP bans, China has been accused of carrying out espionage operations targeting parliament and No 10.
Other flashpoints include a new Chinese mega-embassy in London and the imprisonment of British businessman Jimmy Lai.
Badenoch accuses Starmer of kowtowing to China
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer appears incapable of acting in Britain’s national interests.”
“We should not roll out the red carpet for a state that conducts daily espionage in our country, disregards international trade rules and aids Putin in his senseless war against Ukraine. We need dialogue with China, we do not need to bow to them.”
“But Keir Starmer is weak and has no backbone. The Conservatives will always work for a stronger economy and a stronger country.”
Sir Keir has made a determined effort to strengthen relations with China since becoming Prime Minister 18 months ago.
China accused of running espionage operation (Image: Getty)
Five MPs and two colleagues banned from entering China
China sanctioned five MPs: Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader Tom Tugendhat, Nusrat Ghani, Neil O’Brien and Tim Loughton.
Her peers David Alton and Helena Kennedy also received punishment from Beijing.
The entire group was banned from setting foot in China, Hong Kong and Macau, had any Chinese-owned property confiscated, and was prohibited from having any business dealings with Chinese citizens or organizations.
Following landmark talks, Sir Keir, who received a guided tour of Beijing’s historic Forbidden City, clinched a deal that will see China cut whiskey tariffs from 10% to 5% in a deal worth £250 million over five years for UK exporters.
Visa-free travel agreement accepted
Regulations have also been made for UK citizens to travel to China without a visa.
Under the agreement, visitors who will stay in the country for less than 30 days will no longer need to obtain a visa.
The agreement covers business and tourist travelers to China and brings rules for visitors from the UK into line with those from 50 other countries, including France and Germany.
The measure will not come into force immediately, but Beijing has unilaterally committed to visa-free entry for UK citizens and the start date is to be confirmed.
Sir Keir told Mr Xi he wanted a “more sophisticated” relationship with China, while the President said relations had taken some “twists and turns” in recent years.
Additional flashpoints include a new Chinese mega-embassy in London (Image: Getty)
Martyn Brown shares his views on flying to China with Starmer
Starmer raised ‘areas of concern’ in talks
The leaders met with their delegations for about an hour and 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute four-way meeting with national security adviser Jonathan Powell and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, followed by a lunch lasting just over an hour.
Sir Keir contacted a delegation of 54 representatives from British business and cultural institutions seeking to deepen ties with the country.
Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister had raised “areas of concern” during the debate.
Sir Keir has faced calls to raise Jimmy Lai’s case and the treatment of the Uyghur minority under Chinese leadership.
He said they had a “respectful discussion” on these issues and that was “part of the reason why he joined.”
The Prime Minister said: “As you can imagine, we have raised these issues.”
“Part of the rationale for joining is to ensure that we can both seize the opportunities that are available, which is what we have done, but also have a mature discussion about the issues on which we disagree.”
Downing Street has refused to give details of what was discussed on controversial issues including Mr Lai, sanctioned MPs, the Uyghurs and Beijing’s purchase of Russian oil targeted by Western sanctions aimed at undermining the war effort in Ukraine.
No 10 did not confirm whether Sir Keir had requested Mr Lai’s release from the Chinese president, but officials stressed the Government’s position on Lai’s immediate release had not changed.
The 78-year-old British national was locked in solitary confinement for five years under conditions his son described as “torture” under Hong Kong’s new national security law.
