U.S. President Donald Trump said it was “very dangerous” for the United Kingdom to cooperate with China, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continued his visit to Beijing aimed at resetting relations.
The U.S. president reacted to agreements intended to boost business and investment between the UK and China, announced after Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of a three-day visit.
“Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that,” Trump said at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, when asked what he thought about Britain strengthening business ties with China.
In response to Trump’s comments, Downing Street said that Washington had been informed in advance about the trip and its objectives.
Trump did not elaborate further on the UK’s engagement with China, instead shifting focus to Canada and issuing a similar warning.
“I think it’s even more dangerous for Canada,” he said.
“Canada is not doing well. It’s doing very badly and you can’t look to China as the answer,” he added.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada if it continued with economic agreements reached with China during a recent visit to Beijing by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The comments come after Sir Keir said the UK’s relationship with China was in a “good and strong place” following his talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday.
