‘China matters for us…’: Starmer’s blunt message from Beijing as he meets Xi amid US tariff pressure
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer used his Beijing visit to signal a reset in UK–China ties, stressing that China remains vital to Britain’s interests. Meeting President Xi Jinping, he called for a long-term strategic partnership despite ongoing differences. The outreach comes as global uncertainty grows under US tariff threats from Donald Trump, prompting allies to reassess their economic and diplomatic strategies.