Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered an unequivocal message as he began a high-profile visit to Beijing: “Like it or not, China matters for the UK.” Calling for a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership, Starmer said engagement with Dragon is firmly in Britain’s national interest, even as differences remain. Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years and is accompanied by a 60-member delegation of business and cultural leaders.“I have long been clear that the UK and China need a long term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” Starmer said in a pre-visit statement.“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad,” he said, according to news agency PTI.The visit comes amid a tariff blitz by US President Donald Trump, threatening sweeping trade penalties across continents and unsettling allies and rivals alike. The aggressive trade posture has disrupted global supply chains, strained alliances, and deepened economic uncertainty.As Washington leans inward, several Western allies are reassessing their exposure and options in an increasingly fragmented global economy.The recalibration of West Starmer’s China outreach reflects a wider realignment underway across the West. He is the fourth leader of a US ally to visit Beijing this month, following leaders from South Korea, Canada and Finland, with Germany expected next. The visits signal a growing recognition that China remains central to global trade, investment and supply chains, irrespective of political frictions.Downing Street described the UK’s approach as “clear-eyed and realistic”, stressing cooperation where possible while maintaining firm guardrails on national security.The discomfort of WashingtonTrump has repeatedly shown irritation when allies pursue closer economic engagement with Beijing. Earlier, Canada’s outreach to China drew sharp warnings from Washington, reflecting US unease as partners hedge amid trade volatility and geopolitical flux.Trump on warned Canada and its Prime Minister Mark Carney over making any deals with China. Refering to Carney as “governor”, he said that US will impose 100 per cent tariffs if Canada makes any such deals.“If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a “Drop Off Port” for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken,” said Trump on Truth Social.Hours after Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa proceeded with trade deals with China, Carney urged citizens to back domestic businesses and workers under a new “Buy Canadian” policy.While Trump has not reacted to Starmer’s visit so far, the broader pattern is clear. Western allies are adjusting to a world where US economic predictability can no longer be taken for granted.For Britain, China is its third-largest trading partner, supporting around 3,70,000 jobs. Starmer’s message is not one of alignment with Beijing, but of realism in a rapidly changing global order marked by tariff wars, fraying alliances and strategic recalibration.