Trump says “very dangerous” for UK to deal with China

• President Trump cautioned that it is "very dangerous" for Britain to expand business ties with China during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s landmark visit to Beijing, framing it as a risky move for the long-time ally.
• Trump extended his criticism to Canada, stating it is "even more dangerous" for them to seek answers in China and reiterating his threat of 100% tariffs on Canadian imports if Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues further deals with Beijing.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday it was "very dangerous" for close ally Britain to deal with China, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Trump made the remarks to reporters while attending the premiere of a documentary about his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.

Asked on the press line for his reaction to Britain "getting into business" with China, the president said: "Well it's very dangerous for them to do that."

Starmer's visit to China is the first by a British premier since 2018 and follows a slew of Western leaders seeking a rapprochement with Beijing recently, seen by many as a pivot from an increasingly unpredictable United States.

On Thursday, Starmer met with Xi and other Chinese officials, and signed several cooperation agreements.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also visited China in mid-January and reached agreements on trade and tourism.

Afterward, Trump threatened to hit Canadian imports with 100-percent tariffs if Carney made further deals with Beijing -- a threat the Canadian PM later dismissed as a negotiating tactic.

Trump, after remarking Thursday on Britain, added: "It's even more dangerous, I think, for Canada to get into business with China. Canada is not doing well. They're doing very poorly, and you can't look at China as the answer."