• Insists ignoring world’s second-largest economy would be ‘foolhardy’
• Secures trade wins as China lifts sanctions on UK MPs critical of Beijing

SHANGHAI: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday it would be foolish for Britain not to engage with China, rejecting an assertion from US President Donald Trump that it was dangerous to get into business with Beijing.

Starmer, the latest Western leader to visit China seeking an economic and geopolitical hedge against Trump’s unpredictability, dismissed the US leader’s warning during the final day of his trip.

“It would be foolhardy to simply say we will ignore [China],” Starmer said in an interview in Shanghai. “For the UK to be the only country that refuses to engage would not be in our national interest.”

In Washington on Thursday, Trump replied to questions about the closer UK-China ties by warning it was “very dangerous for them to do that.” He did not elaborate.

Starmer brushed off the comments, noting that the United Kingdom and the United States remain close allies and that Washington had been made aware of his visit. “I don’t think it is wise for the UK to stick its head in the sand. China is the second-largest economy in the world,” Starmer said.

The prime minister’s three hours of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping resulted in China agreeing to cut tariffs on UK whisky to 5pc and to relax visa rules. Britain also cited progress on market access for its professional services sector.

Xi told Starmer that their countries should strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the context of a “complex and intertwined” international situation.

Downing Street announced Beijing had agreed to visa-free travel for British citizens visiting China for under 30 days, although Starmer acknowledged there was no start date for the arrangement yet. The Chinese foreign ministry said it was “actively considering” the deal.

Starmer also said China had agreed to remove sanctions on a group of British lawmakers who had been critical of China’s policies on security and human rights.”President Xi said to me that that means all parliamentarians are welcome,” Starmer said.

The main investment deal of the trip flowed in the opposite direction. British drugmaker AstraZeneca committed to invest $15 billion in China through 2030 to expand its medicines manufacturing and research.

Starmer said the visit was “a real success”, emphasising that Britain has a “huge amount to offer” China.

“We have a business delegation of 60 leaders and you only need to spend five minutes with them to see what a difference it will make to our economy back home,” Starmer said.

Starmer’s centre-left Labour government has struggled to fulfil promises to boost growth since taking power in July 2024 and has made improving relations with Beijing a priority.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026