UK-China latest: Minister says ‘bonkers’ not to deal with Beijing after Trump blasts Starmer’s Xi meeting

Donald Trump has warned it would be “dangerous” for the UK to do business with China.

Asked by reporters earlier on Friday about Britain’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with China, the US President expressed disapproval of the proposal.

“It’s very dangerous for them to do that, and I think it’s even more dangerous for Canada to do business with China,” he said.

A minister has said it would be “absolutely insane” for the UK not to engage with China after Donald Trump expressed disapproval of Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to the country.

Asked by Sky News about the US President’s suggestion overnight that it would be “dangerous” for the UK to do business with China, Trade Secretary Sir Chris Bryant said: “He also said he is a friend of President Xi (Jinping) and will visit him in April.”

Sir Chris added: “Of course I agree that you need to go into your relationship with China with your eyes open.

“You have to challenge China on issues where we disagree with them, but you also have to face the fact that China is a great power in the world.

“It is the world’s second largest economy and our fourth largest export market.

“So it would be absolutely crazy for the UK not to engage with China.”

Political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:

A government minister could not rule out that Xi Jinping could make a future visit to the UK.

Trade Secretary Sir Chris Bryant was unable to offer his own opinion on a possible visit on Friday after No 10 left the door open to a future visit by the Chinese President.

Asked whether Mr Xi would be welcome in Britain, Mr Bryant said: “A president’s visit is normally a matter for the palace as well as the government.

“So I don’t want to get ahead of myself – It’s not like me to give invitations.”

Asked whether the visit would be appropriate given China’s sanctions against British MPs, Mr Bryant said: “Of course we take all the issues you’ve just raised extremely seriously and I’m sure they will factor into any discussion.”

Sir Keir Starmer has touched down in Shanghai for the next leg of his China tour.

The Prime Minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday to advocate for a “more sophisticated” relationship between the UK and China.

He also met in Beijing with business leaders and Chinese ministers who are continuing efforts to strengthen economic ties with the country, including Chinese Health Minister Ma Xiaowei and People’s Bank of China governor Ge Haijiao.

Sir Keir’s visit to Shanghai, a huge financial hub and China’s largest city, will mark the end of a trip that has seen the prime minister’s political opponents accuse him of “caving in” to Mr Xi.

Political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:

Donald Trump’s warning to Sir Keir Starmer was rebuked on Friday by Business Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, who said his remarks about the UK’s trade prospects were “wrong”.

Hours after the Prime Minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, US President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Britain’s efforts to do business with China, calling them “dangerous”.

Asked by BBC Breakfast whether the US President was wrong in his remarks, Trade Secretary Sir Chris Bryant said: “Yes, he is wrong, and I say that precisely because, on top of everything else, he also said in his own statement that he is friends with President Xi, and I understand that President Trump will go to China himself in April.”