Donald Trump Criticises Keir Starmer Over China Discussions

Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer’s “very dangerous” attempts to forge closer ties between the UK and China.

The prime minister held talks with President Xi in Beijing on Thursday as he tries to improve relations with his communist counterpart.

During his trip to China, Starmer has secured a halving of tariffs on Scotch whisky as well as a deal which will see UK citizens visiting the country for less than 30 days no longer needing a visa.

He said he wanted Britain and China to have “a more sophisticated” relationship than they have in recent years, and even suggested that President Xi could visit the UK in future.

But asked by reporters early on Friday about the PM’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with China, Trump said: “Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that, and it’s even more dangerous, I think, for Canada to get into business with China.

“Canada’s not doing well. They’re doing very poorly and you can’t look at China as the answer.”

That was a reference to Canadian prime minister Mark Carney’s own trip to China earlier this month, during which the two countries struck a deal to reduce tariffs on canola and electric vehicles, and agreed to work on increasing co-operation.

That led to Trump threatening Canada with a 100% tariff of any of its goods entering the US.

The president added: “I know China very well, I know President Xi, he’s a friend of mine, I know him very well.”

Bizarrely, he went on to claim China would tell Canada “you’re not allowed to play ice hockey anymore”.

“That’s not good. Canada’s not gonna like that,” he said.

Trump’s criticism of the UK and Canada for seeking closer ties with China comes despite the fact he is due to visit the country himself in April.

The president’s swipe at Starmer is just the latest clash between him and the PM since the turn of the year.

Just last week, Starmer urged Trump to apologise over his “appalling” comments about the sacrifices made by Nato troops in Afghanistan.

The prime minister also said he would not “yield” to Trump after he set out his plans to take over Greenland.