China expressed its disapproval of the recent trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and the United States, which can be used to exclude Chinese products from British supply chains. The information is from Financial Times.
The agreement, which includes strict security requirements for the UK steel and pharmaceutical industries, was the first signed by the Trump administration since the imposition of reciprocal tariffs in April.
In response to the agreement, China’s Foreign Ministry said it is a “basic principle” that agreements between countries should not aim at other nations.
“Cooperation between states must be conducted without harming the interests of third parties,” the agency told the press.
These statements put London in a delicate position between the two economic powers and complicate the British government’s efforts to restore relations with Beijing.
China has warned other countries about signing trade agreements with the US that may threaten their interests, fearing that President Donald Trump use bilateral negotiations to press commercial partners to exclude China from his supply chains.
Continues after advertising
In response, Beijing intensified efforts to eliminate foreign components from his own supply chains, seeking to protect himself against the interruptions caused by the trade war.
The US and the United Kingdom trade includes reductions in punitive tariffs on British car and steel exports, but does not eliminate a 10% basic tariff over British products.
British authorities said Trump made it clear that China is the target of the conditions imposed in the deal, which generated surprise and concern in Beijing, especially considering that Prime Minister Keir Stmermer’s government was trying to improve the ties with China.
Continues after advertising
The British government has stated that the US agreement aims to secure thousands of key jobs and protecting British companies, but also reiterated the importance of trade and investment with China, maintaining a pragmatic dialogue in areas of mutual interest.
