Starmer Pushes Stronger UK-China Ties Amid Trump Caution
British PM secures visa-free travel and whisky tariff cuts on Beijing visit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded the first British Prime Ministerial visit to China in eight years, emphasizing that the UK has “a huge amount to offer” Beijing despite pointed warnings from US President Donald Trump. Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, describing the discussions as delivering the “level of engagement” his government sought and marking “real progress” in bilateral relations.
Speaking at the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing on Friday, Starmer highlighted warmly constructive talks and signed multiple agreements. Key outcomes include visa-free entry for British passport holders for stays under 30 days—aligning the UK with around 50 other nations such as France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and recently Canada. China also agreed to slash tariffs on British whisky from 10% to 5%, a boost for UK exporters.
Additional pacts focus on disrupting migrant smuggling supply chains—a priority for Starmer amid domestic pressure to curb irregular arrivals—along with enhanced cooperation on health, trade promotion, and the UK-China trade commission. Accompanying Starmer was a delegation of about 60 business leaders, including AstraZeneca’s CEO, who announced a $15 billion investment in China through 2030 to expand medicines manufacturing and research.
Also Read: Trump to Iran: Negotiate Nuclear Deal Now or Face Deadly Consequences
The visit comes against a backdrop of shifting Western alignments. Several leaders from France, Canada, and Finland have recently engaged Beijing, partly in response to Trump’s unpredictable policies—including tariff threats against NATO allies and his bid to acquire Greenland. When asked about Britain deepening ties with China, Trump cautioned it was “very dangerous” for them to pursue such business.
Starmer’s outreach aims to revive economic links strained since 2020 over Hong Kong’s national security law and China’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists. China remains Britain’s third-largest trading partner, and stronger commercial ties are central to Starmer’s core mission of driving UK economic growth.
The prime minister heads to Shanghai later Friday to engage with the economic powerhouse before a brief stop in Japan to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, rounding out his Asia tour focused on trade, security, and strategic partnerships.
Also Read: Trump Says Iran Seeks Talks as USS Abraham Lincoln Arrives in Middle East
