Starmer Arrives In Shanghai To Boost U.K. Business Ties With China
Starmer arrives in Shanghai after meetings in Beijing that secured visa-free travel and tariff cuts for Scotch whisky, amid U.S. warnings about U.K.-China deals.
Overview
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai on Feb. 16 to advance trade and investment opportunities for U.K. firms after meetings in Beijing, officials confirmed.
Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping for an 80-minute discussion at the Great Hall of the People on Feb. 15 and both sides pledged to pursue a comprehensive strategic partnership, records show.
The White House signaled opposition as U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 16 it would be "very dangerous" for the U.K. and Canada to deepen business ties with China, according to his remarks to reporters.
Starmer's delegation includes more than 50 business leaders and nearly 60 commercial and cultural figures who announced deals such as AstraZeneca's $15 billion investment through 2030, Downing Street said.
Starmer plans to travel next to Tokyo to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as U.K. officials seek to broaden export markets amid trade tensions, aides said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Starmer’s China visit as pragmatic economic outreach, foregrounding business opportunities and official cooperation while treating human-rights and security concerns as secondary source content. Editorial choices—opening with the business delegation and U.S. reactions, highlighting tariff/visa progress, and emphasizing conciliatory leader statements—build a chiefly trade-focused narrative.
Sources (13)
FAQ
Deals included visa-free travel for UK citizens, tariff cuts on Scotch whisky from 10% to 5% (worth £250m to UK exporters over 5 years), and an MOU on cooperation in technical and vocational education and training.
Starmer declared an end to 'eight wasted years' and called for a long-term strategic UK-China relationship based on mutual trust and pursuing common goals while preserving differences.
US President Donald Trump stated it would be 'very dangerous' for the UK and Canada to deepen business ties with China.
AstraZeneca announced a $15 billion investment in China through 2030.
Starmer plans to travel to Tokyo to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to broaden UK export markets amid trade tensions.
History
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