The EU remains one of the most high-value and tightly regulated markets for Indian spices, accounting for a substantial share of premium exports. Officials said the trade agreement, once operationalised, could help Indian exporters navigate non-tariff barriers more efficiently
After weeks of gruelling matches in the Melbourne heat, the first Grand Slam of the year is all set for a blockbuster finish this weekend at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. In the men's draw, Carlos Alcaraz has already reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open
President Donald Trump's foreign policy stance is stirring concern among the populace. Recent polling indicates a strong preference among Americans for collaborative international partnerships and a proactive global role. In stark contrast, Trump's strategies appear to deviate from these views
The ill-fated aircraft was "very well-maintained", and its pilot, Captain Sumit Kapoor, was a very seasoned and experienced pilot who had clocked 16,000 flying hours, V K Singh, owner of VSR Ventures told reporters. Mumbai: V K Singh, owner of VSR Ventures whose aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on 11 April as he ends his latest spell of retirement. The fight, which will be broadcast on Netflix, will be Fury's first since he lost his rematch with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024
Keir Starmer wants UK Plc to win over China’s Xi without annoying Trump
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in Beijing to boost trade with China. He aims to expand export business for British industries. Starmer is navigating a delicate balance between China and the United States. He is accompanied by business and cultural leaders. The UK is seeing a surge in Chinese electric vehicle imports.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Beijing on Wednesday confident he can do what few leaders have shown the political dexterity to pull off: broaden trade ties with China without annoying President Donald Trump.
“I'm often invited to simply choose between countries,” Starmer said in an interview with Bloomberg before departing London for four days of talks with officials including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday. “I don't do that.”
The UK leader is bringing a delegation heavy on British banking executives — from HSBC Holdings Plc, Barclays Plc and Standard Chartered Plc — and cultural emissaries representing the arts and sports. A range of manufacturers are also making the trip, including Airbus SE, AstraZeneca Plc, Brompton Bikes, Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren Automotive Ltd. Starmer arrived in the Chinese capital mid-morning Wednesday, UK time.
Also Read: UK approves China plan for its largest embassy in Europe despite espionage fears
Starmer's goal of opening up more export business for British industries is the same, whether it applies to the US or China. But his successes with Trump meant catering to a transactional, impulsive US president. China takes a much more methodical approach to deals and decisions that often take years to negotiate.
Sam Lowe, a partner at Flint Global in London and head of its trade and market access practice, said the UK's effort to “split the economy into ‘things we can trade with China' and ‘things we can't trade with China' makes sense” for now.
Longer term, however, those separate tracks will be increasingly difficult to manage in areas such as digital commerce, where the world's biggest economies are jockeying for supremacy and “where concerns around data and access to data spread across every sector,” he said.
Starmer's goal of opening up more export business for British industries is the same, whether it applies to the US or China. But his successes with Trump meant catering to a transactional, impulsive US president. China takes a much more methodical approach to deals and decisions that often take years to negotiate.
Sam Lowe, a partner at Flint Global in London and head of its trade and market access practice, said the UK's effort to “split the economy into ‘things we can trade with China' and ‘things we can't trade with China' makes sense” for now.
Longer term, however, those separate tracks will be increasingly difficult to manage in areas such as digital commerce, where the world's biggest economies are jockeying for supremacy and “where concerns around data and access to data spread across every sector,” he said.
Starmer departs just days after the US president threatened Canadian products with 100% tariffs after Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit earlier this month to Beijing. Carney secured a retreat from an earlier trade scuffle with China: Ottawa will allow some Chinese electric vehicles to be imported annually, in exchange for China lowering tariffs on Canadian rapeseed shipments.
Britain's PM has built a more cordial relationship with the White House, but Trump lashed out at Starmer last week, criticizing his plans to return sovereignty of Diego Garcia — the largest of the Chagos islands that houses a crucial military base — to Mauritius.
To avoid a flareup that endangers the US-UK trade agreement, Starmer aims to downplay Britain's Chinese imports and highlight its services industries. His overarching goal will be to maintain the current stretch of calm with both Beijing and Washington — as well as adhering to domestic priorities of free trade and sustainability.
“President Trump's unpredictability and willingness to reverse course, as we saw on his approach to Carney's trade truce with China and on the UK's Chagos deal, means that Starmer will need to maintain a carefully balanced narrative,” said Allie Renison, director at consultancy SEC Newgate UK and a former trade adviser to the Conservative government.
Beyond the geopolitics, Starmer is presiding over an economy where consumers, feeling squeezed by inflation and concerned about job security, are warming not only to cheap Chinese imports available on e-commerce sites like Temu and Shein, but to higher-priced items that compete with US and European producers.
Unlike the US and the European Union, Britain has no punitive tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. As a result, it has become a leading destination for new models from BYD Co. and Chery Automobile Co., which are rapidly gaining market share against competitors like Tesla Inc.
BYD Boom
BYD nearly quintupled its sales in the UK last year, registering more than 51,400 new cars and pulling ahead of both Tesla, whose sales fell almost 10%, and BMW AG's British marque Mini.
MG, the legacy British brand owned by China's SAIC Motor Corp., had an even better year, selling more than 85,000 new cars. That was more than Land Rover and only just shy of the number of Toyotas registered in the UK.
Also Read: BYD weighs India expansion as hundreds of car orders pile up
Bloomberg
“Almost all the brands are here, so all have a place in this market,” Victor Zhang, Chery's UK director, said in an interview. “This is also good for consumers” who are embracing the vehicles not just for their affordability but also their reliability and brand perceptions.
He said Chery wants to broaden its reach to 130 or 140 dealerships in the UK this year from about 100 currently, including an expansion in Northern Ireland.
Starmer will hope this openness, and his government's decision to approve China's new embassy in London, ultimately help Britain's services sector, said David Henig, director of UK trade policy at the European Centre for International Political Economy. “That, however, is probably the limit to what can be achieved given the risks of US wrath and domestic concerns centered around security.”
It's not just autos. Shop online in the UK for a new smartphone on Argos, a unit of J Sainsbury Plc, and you'll find Apple iPhones and Samsung models alongside much cheaper offerings from Xiaomi Corp., the Hong Kong electronics company initially banned in the US on national-security grounds before being given a reprieve.
No such stigma against Chinese products exists among many British consumers. Apple and Samsung still dominate but Chinese competition is intensifying.
“In the UK market, consumers are welcoming any good brand that gives them high quality and value for money,” said Celine Tang, retail and e-commerce sector lead with the China-Britain Business Council, a group that promotes UK-China trade and investment.
As Chinese manufacturers transition from little-known mass-producers of goods to distinct international brands on par with established leading names, British consumers are an ideal market because its shoppers “are always looking for other options and alternatives,” she said.
Bloomberg
In the US over the past decade, China's rising bilateral trade imbalance was the chief catalyst of a bipartisan backlash that helped give rise to Trump's protectionist trade policies.
By contrast, the UK remains largely open to Chinese trade despite a growing deficit driven by phones, computers and cars. China is gaining on Germany as the largest single source of Britain's imports.
Recently, UK public opinion has warmed toward China, according to YouGov polling released over the weekend. Its Jan. 21-22 survey showed the share of respondents who view China as a friend or a friendly rival rose to 27%, up from 19% in an October survey. The only other country from a list of 15 that showed any noticeable move was the US, whose friendliness factor fell to 52% from 69%.
It's unclear what Starmer will bring home from the trip. He could ask for Chinese investment in a popular, job-producing industry such as cars or battery manufacturing, though that may risk the ire of the White House.
Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, Starmer said he was pursuing new arrangements that would make it easier for British businesspeople to travel to China. “I hope we can make some progress, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself,” he said when asked if he would strike a visa-free deal this week.
The trip could also see China give the go-ahead for the UK to rebuild its dilapidated embassy in Beijing. When senior ministers visited previously, diplomats hastily painted over the walls and sprayed air freshener to hide the cracked facade and plumbing issues, one official said. Rats have also been spotted at the embassy, they added.
The prime minister could certainly do with a win as rivals in his governing Labour Party eye his job. Starmer told Bloomberg the public had given him a personal mandate to lead Britain for five years, signaling to his critics that he wouldn't bow to the pressure.
Nonetheless, Trump's trade officials would likely frown on any sign that Britain is opening the floodgates to Chinese investment. Last week US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that while the impact of the Canada-China trade announcement was “overblown,” he indicated that allowing Chinese investments in Canada may cross a line.
Bloomberg
Starmer's trip, running Wednesday through Saturday, will be the first visit of a British prime minister to China in eight years and another chance to reset a relationship that's run hot and cold.
‘Golden Age'
Back in October 2015, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and China's Xi clinked pint glasses to toast a “golden age” of UK-China relations. The backdrop was The Plough at Cadsden, a 16th-century pub that's popular among walkers along The Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road, and just a short drive from Chequers, the country retreat for UK leaders.
Four months after that photo op, Cameron announced the Brexit referendum would be held in June 2016. Several months later, the pub was reportedly purchased by a Chinese investor who had planned to export its cozy charm and develop English pubs across China.
More recently, The Plough's future looks as uncertain as the UK's place in the new world order.
On Saturday, locals and hikers walking along the muddy trail stopped to admire the old brick building with a few empty beer kegs sitting outside. The Plough's garden furniture is deteriorating, and an antique sign visible in the Cameron-Xi event is absent. The townspeople said they're not really sure what's next for it.
Since the holidays, the only thing they've heard is it's closed indefinitely for renovations.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: Mamata Banerjee likely to visit Delhi over SIR 10 Practical Ways To Eat Nutritious Food Without Overspending Elon Musk, Vinod Khosla clash over ‘white people’ row on social media Sensex up over 500 points Elon Musk Pushes XChat Over WhatsApp Over Privacy Concerns Updated ICC ODI team rankings after England's series win over Sri Lanka Malaysia football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal Keir Starmer In China Nitin Nabin slams TMC over infiltration This RCB’s Rs 2Cr Buy Can Lead NZ to First T20 WC Win in 2026
We have all been there where you think Instagram ads are so annoyingly personal that it feels like the app is listening to you. In fact, this myth got so popular that even Instagram head Adam Mosseri had to come out and clarify that the company isn't listening to you via your mic
1 minutes ago
Sara Ali Khan was recently papped at the airport as she jetted out of the city, serving major travel-style inspiration along the way. The actor opted for a relaxed yet stylish athleisure look, proving once again that comfort and fashion can go hand in hand
Just now
Air pollution has become a matter of concern in India now. Many people are aware of the ill effects of air pollution on their bodies and how it not only impacts the lungs but also the skin, heart, and overall health. However, it is difficult to figure out just how affected one is by the air
1 minutes ago
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will soon publish the detailed notification and registration dates for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. Candidates can access the notification and submit their applications on the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in, once it becomes available
1 minutes ago
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the measures taken by several states to control the stray dog population, warning of strict action if compliance does not improve, Bar and Bench reported. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath
1 minutes ago
Xiaomi has revealed key specifications of the upcoming Redmi Turbo 5 ahead of its official launch in China on January 29. The company has confirmed details related to the display, processor, battery, charging capabilities, and build, offering a clearer picture of where the new Redmi smartphone is
1 minutes ago
The new pact includes the first-ever India–EU Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), a parallel agreement inked alongside the trade deal. NEW DELHI: The tariff turmoil unleashed by US President Donald Trump as part of his "America First" trade policy has been an important factor in speeding
1 minutes ago
Mortgage-tech firm Easy Home Finance has raised $30 million in a Series C funding round led by Investcorp India Growth Equity Fund and Investcorp India Growth Opportunity Fund, the company said on Wednesday. The latest fundraise comes amid a pickup in capital flows into housing finance companies
1 minutes ago
Sara Ali Khan was spotted at the airport in a sporty athleisure look, smiling for the paparazzi and appearing unfazed amid the ongoing social media controversy involving her family. Mumbai: Actress Sara Ali Khan recently was spotted at the airport, turning heads with her sporty look
Just now
E-commerce giant Amazon on Wednesday announced to cut over 16,000 jobs globally amid the business restructuring triggered by AI push. “The reductions we are making today will impact approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon, and we're again working hard to support everyone whose role is
Just now
Beijing is not always the most welcoming place in winter. Frigid air blows in from the north, blast-freezing the city's lakes and rivers and only the hardiest souls would dare to plunge into the icy water. And yet, in the last two months, leaders from around the world have accepted invitations to
Just now
Although the anecdote was about the mid-air scare he experienced, Ajit Pawar had narrated it in his trademark humorous style. A video of Pawar's speech has now resurfaced on social media following his death. Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar
1 minutes ago
Due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, scores of vehicles remained stranded at different points on the nearly 300-km long highway. While electricity was restored in Srinagar city, many rural areas in Kashmir still do not have the electric supply
1 minutes ago
HT Media Ltd, the publisher of Mint and Hindustan Times newspapers, on Wednesday reported widening of its consolidated net loss to ₹23.70 crore for the December quarter on account of provisions related to the implementation of the new labour codes. It had incurred a loss of ₹3
Just now
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) extended the tenure of its all-women committee of three former High Court judges headed by former High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, constituted in August 2023 to monitor the rehabilitation work in violence-torn Manipur, by another six months
Just now
Arijit Singh has announced his retirement from playback singing, marking the end of an era as fans look back on his iconic musical journey, personal life, and past Arijit Singh Retirement: Renowned Bollywood playback singer Arijit Singh, widely celebrated for his soulful romantic melodies
Just now
The exuberance of Niki Prasad and the experience of Sneh Rana combined to nearly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women's Premier League on Tuesday (January 27, 2026). However, Sophie Devine maintained her poise in the final over and helped Gujarat Giants eke
1 minutes ago
Ajit Pawar's death: An old tweet by Ajit Pawar has gone viral following his tragic death in Baramati. Know the eerie coincidence involving first officer Shambhavi Pathak and the emotional tributes pouring in online. A surprising turn of events has left social media users shocked
Just now
Sharad Pawar, the veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief, has reacted to the tragic death of his nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the Baramati plane crash, describing it as an “accident,” as he sought to quell any speculation around the plane crash.Sharad Pawar
Just now
Once the CAT results are out, the next step is to choose the right institute for a management programme. This is not just a credential but a launchpad to craft a professional identity and unlock career mobility. Here are some parameters to consider before you select the right institute for you
Just now
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in Beijing to boost trade with China. He aims to expand export business for British industries. Starmer is navigating a delicate balance between China and the United States. He is accompanied by business and cultural leaders
Just now
WhatsApp Strict Account Settings Feature: It will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks and is expected to be especially useful for journalists, activists and public figures, who are often at higher risk of targeted cyberattacks.WhatsApp Strict Account Settings Feature: It will be rolled
Just now
Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common yet most misunderstood skin concerns seen in dermatology clinics today. Characterised by dark patches, spots, or uneven skin tone, it affects individuals across age groups and skin types, often impacting confidence as much as appearance
Just now
Across the United States and India, a new kind of edtech arms race is underway: not around content libraries or test-prep question banks, but around AI-first tutors that promise to personalise learning at scale. The pitch is attractive. In the U.S.
Just now
Tax season is here, and refunds are an important source of income for many Americans. For many households, tax refunds represent the largest single payment they receive each year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated that the average refund last year was nearly $3,200.Tax season is here
Just now
Opposition leaders on Wednesday raised questions about the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others in Baramati, and demanded an independent investigation into the matter. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at Ajit Pawar's death in
Just now
Silver hits Rs 4,00,000 per kg in Hyderabad, surging Rs 1,44,000 in 28 days. COMEX prices consolidate near $113. Demand from solar, EVs, AI and electronics drives the rally. Silver Prices In India: Silver's astonishing rally has continued unabated in the first month of 2026
Just now
