SHANGHAI: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday it would be unwise for the United Kingdom (UK) to disengage from China, rejecting comments by US President Donald Trump that closer business ties with Beijing were dangerous.
Read More: Starmer seeks China ties amid US tensions
Speaking in Shanghai on the final day of his visit, Mr Starmer said engagement with China was firmly in Britain’s national interest, noting that Beijing is the world’s second-largest economy. “It would be foolhardy to simply say we will ignore China,” he said, adding that the UK could not afford to isolate itself while other countries maintained ties with Beijing.
UK PM Keir Starmer said on Friday it would be foolish for Britain not to engage with China, rejecting the assertion from US president that it was dangerous to get into business with Beijing, Reuters reported. An expert said Downing Street’s reaction demonstrates UK’s current… pic.twitter.com/N8QDlDlDvt
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 30, 2026
Mr Trump, responding to questions in Washington a day earlier, warned that it was “very dangerous” for Britain to deepen business relations with China, though he did not elaborate. Mr Starmer dismissed the remarks, stressing that the UK and the United States remain close allies and that Washington had been informed of his visit in advance.
The prime minister held three hours of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, resulting in several economic and diplomatic agreements. China agreed to cut tariffs on British whisky to 5 per cent, ease visa requirements and improve market access for UK professional services. Beijing also signalled it would allow visa-free travel for British citizens for visits of up to 30 days, although no implementation date has yet been confirmed.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended engagement with China, citing economic benefits while stressing the need to remain mindful of national security, joking that he can use chopsticks when asked about his lunch with President Xi Jinping. pic.twitter.com/qn3aK12TYd
— GB News (@GBNEWS) January 30, 2026
Mr Starmer said China had also agreed to lift sanctions imposed on British lawmakers who had criticised Beijing’s policies on security and human rights. President Xi told him that all British parliamentarians would be welcome in China, according to the prime minister.
On the investment front, British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $15 billion in China by 2030 to expand manufacturing and research operations. Mr Starmer described the visit as a success, highlighting the presence of a 60-member UK business delegation.
Read More: Keir Starmer arrives in beijing for historic visit
The Labour government, which took office in July 2024, has prioritised improving relations with China as part of efforts to revive economic growth amid global uncertainty.