UK Can Engage with China Without Jeopardizing US Ties—Starmer
“Britain cannot ignore the second-biggest economy in the world,” Starmer told reporters ahead of his upcoming visit to China, the first by a UK prime minister in eight years.
Accompanied by a delegation of 60 leaders from business, academia, and cultural institutions, Starmer will travel to Beijing and Shanghai amid recent strains in UK–US relations.
When asked whether strengthening ties with China might come at the expense of the US relationship, the prime minister dismissed such concerns, saying the UK can meet Xi without angering US President Donald Trump or damaging transatlantic ties.
"We’ve got very close relations with the US — of course, we want to — and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defense," he said. "Equally, just sticking your head in the sand and ignoring China, when it’s the second-biggest economy in the world and there are business opportunities, wouldn’t be sensible."
Starmer acknowledged he would raise issues such as human rights during the trip but emphasized that economic cooperation remains the top priority.
The visit follows recent tensions between the US and European allies over matters including Greenland, which has drawn US interest due to its strategic Arctic location, mineral resources, and concerns over Russian and Chinese influence. Denmark and Greenland have rejected proposals to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty.
Following meetings in Davos, Trump announced that a framework had been established for a potential deal concerning Greenland and the wider Arctic region.
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