UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Chinese language President Xi Jinping

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The UK and China's leaders are working to create deeper ties between their nations whilst President Donald Trump discourages U.S. allies from buying and selling with Beijing.

Neither U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor Chinese language President Xi Jinping talked about Trump, however feedback made by the Chinese language chief appeared to counsel that the U.S. president was on their minds, in keeping with The Related Press.

"Within the present turbulent and ever-changing worldwide scenario... China and the U.Ok. must strengthen dialogue and cooperation to take care of world peace and stability," Xi advised Starmer in the beginning of their assembly, the AP reported.

Xi additionally reportedly mentioned — with out mentioning Trump — that "main powers" should abide by worldwide regulation or the world would grow to be a "jungle," the AP reported.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, shakes fingers with Chinese language President Xi Jinping forward of a gathering in Beijing Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Carl Court docket/Pool Photograph by way of AP)

The U.Ok. prime minister's remarks in the beginning of the assembly highlighted China's stance on the world stage and referred to as for a "extra subtle relationship" between the 2 nations.

" China is a vital player on the worldwide stage, and it is important that we construct a extra subtle relationship the place we will determine alternatives to collaborate, however after all, additionally enable a significant dialogue on areas the place we disagree," Starmer mentioned in the beginning of his assembly with Xi, according to Reuters.

Starmer can also be in search of Xi's help in disrupting the availability of China-made small boat engines that the U.K. leader's office says are sometimes used to smuggle folks throughout the English Channel. The deal contains intelligence sharing with the intention of figuring out smugglers' provide routes and direct work with Chinese language producers to "forestall official companies being exploited by organized crime," Starmer's workplace mentioned.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the Forbidden Metropolis in Beijing on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Carl Court docket/Pool Photograph by way of AP)

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The U.Ok. prime minister is the fourth chief of a U.S. ally to go to China this month, following South Korea, Canada and Finland, in keeping with the AP. The outlet reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is predicted to go to subsequent month.

Trump slammed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after Carney's go to to China, warning that "China will eat Canada alive." Trump and Carney had beforehand taken swipes at one another throughout the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, sparking ongoing tensions.

President Donald Trump shakes fingers with Chinese language President Xi Jinping as they maintain a bilateral assembly at Gimhae Worldwide Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)

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The go to comes amid makes an attempt by Trump to maneuver U.S. allies away from China by way of threats of commerce tariffs. Following Carney's current go to to China, Trump threatened to position a 100% tariff on Canadian items. The president has additionally cited safety threats from China in his argument for the U.S. taking over Greenland , saying that Beijing can be a hazard within the Arctic Circle.

In November, the U.S. and China reached a trade deal that might roll again some tariffs and export controls, broaden U.S. agricultural exports, curb the stream of fentanyl precursors and ease stress on American semiconductor and transport firms.