A year ago, I never expected to be writing an article arguing that Britain should move closer to China. But then, I also never expected to be talking about the potential invasion of Greenland, a US president openly suggesting ethnic cleansing in his so-called ‘Middle East Riviera’ plan, or a US Presidential executive order bringing back plastic straws because, apparently, paper ones ‘explode’. Yet here we are. And here is why I think we/the UK needs to reconsider its global alliances.
The challenge of post-Brexit Britain
Post-Brexit Britain faces a serious challenge as Labour desperately struggles for economic growth, stuck between wanting a free trade deal with the US and desiring closer ties with the EU. The UK’s relationship with the US has become a tricky balancing act, especially as President Trump’s policies continue to be unpredictable. His second-term economic agenda is proving to be even more chaotic than the first, with contradictory statements on tariffs leaving American businesses uncertain, and foreign governments unsure, of how to proceed.
Trump initially imposed heavy import taxes on Canada and Mexico, then abruptly postponed them in exchange for minimal concessions. His across-the-board tariffs on China are still in place, but a hastily reversed exemption on small items threw the US Postal Service into confusion. As of mid-February, new steel and aluminium tariffs are expected, with an even broader tariff plan reportedly on the way. Trump has even hinted at a blanket tariff on all imports into the US – an unprecedented move that could trigger global economic turmoil. Even the Wall Street Journal, usually sympathetic to Republican policies, has called his approach “the dumbest trade war in history.”
Rethinking the US-UK trade deal
Since the ‘leave vote’, Brexiteers have championed the idea of a UK-US free trade deal as one of the great prizes of leaving the EU. But any deal with Trump’s America would be on US terms. That would result in opening up British markets to lower-quality food such as chlorinated chicken, hormone-treated beef, and other products that don’t meet UK standards.
It also raises the concern about US corporations gaining access to the NHS, something British politicians insist is off the table, but which US trade negotiators have repeatedly hinted at. With Trump’s aggressive protectionist policies and preference for squeezing allies for concessions, Britain would walk into a deal where it has minimal negotiating power.
Closer ties with the EU seem at least a decade away, especially with Brexit and its fallout still so fresh. While the UK leaned left in the 2024 election, much of Europe is shifting to the right, making alignment difficult in the short term. Keir Starmer’s approach of trying to appease both the EU and the US by not really saying anything meaningful is not a long-term strategy. Eventually, Britain will have to pick a lane, or at least realise that silence is not a foreign policy. Right now, Britain appears to be very lonely on the world stage, with no clear allies and uncertain economic prospects.
The case for closer ties with China
Under Boris Johnson, UK-China relations deteriorated, highlighted by the UK banning Huawei from its 5G network over security concerns and suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to China’s imposition of a national security law. Nevertheless, David Cameron once championed a ‘golden era’ of trade and investment, but relations soured over concerns about Hong Kong, human rights, and national security threats. More recently, the UK has followed the US in restricting Chinese tech companies like Huawei, yet other European nations have maintained business ties despite their political disagreements. I believe it is time for Britain to rethink its stance and adopt a more pragmatic approach.
China is the world’s second-largest economy and a crucial trading partner. The UK already benefits from Chinese investment in infrastructure, technology, and higher education. Post-Brexit, expanding trade with China could provide a much-needed economic boost, particularly as relations with the EU remain strained and the US relationship becomes increasingly unpredictable.
UK used to follow Washington’s lead
For decades, UK foreign policy has closely followed Washington’s lead. But should it? Many European nations have managed to maintain strong economic ties with China while still voicing concerns over human rights and security. Britain has an opportunity to forge a more independent approach – one that prioritises national interest rather than ideological alignment with the US.
China is a global leader in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration. While security concerns certainly need to be addressed, outright exclusion from Chinese technological advancements risks leaving Britain behind. Strategic collaboration in carefully managed sectors would be a smarter path forward.
Human rights concerns cannot be ignored, but isolating China has not proved to be an effective strategy for influencing its policies. Engagement, rather than outright hostility, has been the approach taken by countries like Germany and France, balancing economic ties with diplomatic pressure. The UK could take a similar approach, using trade and cooperation as leverage rather than relying on moral grandstanding that has achieved little.
Change and adapt – the way forward
The world is shifting, and Britain must adapt. Ignoring China, or treating it solely as a geopolitical adversary, limits the UK’s economic and diplomatic options. With an unreliable US and a politically misaligned EU, a new pragmatic approach to China could serve British interests in an increasingly multipolar world.
It’s time for Britain to rethink its alliances and act in its own best interest, rather than clinging to outdated loyalties.
