UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is travelling to China on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a British leader in eight years. The trip aims to improve relations with Beijing at a time when ties with the United States are becoming more uncertain.
Starmer’s visit comes as tensions grow between Britain and its closest ally, the US, especially after President Donald Trump made repeated comments about taking control of Greenland. These remarks have unsettled many Western governments, including the UK.
During his three-day visit, Starmer will meet Chinese leaders in Beijing before heading to Shanghai. He will be joined by senior ministers and a group of business leaders. After China, he will also make a short stop in Japan.
Experts say the US’s recent actions will be an important topic during the talks. Kerry Brown, a China expert at King’s College London, said Britain currently shares closer views with China than with the US on some global issues, such as artificial intelligence, health, and the environment.
Since coming to power in 2024, Starmer has tried to rebuild relations with China. Ties had worsened under earlier UK governments because of disputes over Hong Kong, as well as accusations of spying and cyber attacks linked to Beijing.
The visit also gives China a chance to strengthen ties with another US ally. Earlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China and signed an economic deal. After that, Trump warned Canada that it could face very high tariffs if it deepens trade relations with China.
Chinese state media has described China as a dependable partner that supports a “multipolar world,” where power is shared among several countries rather than led by one.
However, recent visits by Western leaders have had mixed results. Canada secured trade benefits, but French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit late last year brought few economic gains.
Britain hopes closer trade with China will help improve public services and boost the economy. Still, the approach has drawn criticism from politicians in both the UK and the US.
Government data shows China was Britain’s fourth-largest trading partner in the year ending mid-2025, with trade worth around £100 billion. Even so, experts say China’s investment in the UK remains very small compared to the US.
Sam Goodman from the China Strategic Risks Institute said Britain has seen limited economic benefits so far from improving ties with Beijing. China makes up just 0.2% of foreign investment in the UK, while the US accounts for about one-third.
He added that the key question from Starmer’s visit is whether it will deliver real economic results for Britain. The trip also follows a controversial decision by the UK government to approve China’s plan to build a large new embassy in central London. Critics have raised security concerns, but the government has defended the move.
Last month, Starmer said China poses security risks to Britain, but added that closer business relations are still important for the country’s interests. The visit takes place during a sensitive period in global politics, as Trump continues to claim that the US needs Greenland to counter China’s growing influence in the Arctic.
