Key events
Trump warns UK deal with China ‘very dangerous’
Good morning, Taz Ali here to bring you the latest news in UK politics.
The US president, Donald Trump, said it was “very dangerous” for the UK to deal with China moments after Keir Starmer announced a successful trip to Beijing, where he discussed business with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
“Well it’s very dangerous for them to do that,” Trump said on Thursday when asked by reporters for his reaction to the landmark visit.
His remarks came after Starmer, the first British prime minister to travel to Beijing since 2018, called for a “more sophisticated” relationship between the UK and China. The “very good meetings” with Xi, as Starmer described them, secured visa-free travel for British citizens to China for up to 30 days and a cut in Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Our political editor, Pippa Crerar, has more on this story below.
Starmer is in Shanghai this morning, his final stop in China before he heads to Tokyo to meet with the Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement that the two leaders will hold a meeting before attending a working dinner, we will get more on this as it happens.
“This visit of prime minister Starmer is expected to further strengthen the Japan-UK relations, an “enhanced global strategic partner” that share fundamental values and principles,” the ministry added.
