Trump warns UK against doing business with China after Starmer visits Beijing – UK politics live

Key events2h agoTrump warns UK deal with China 'very dangerous'Show key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureWe are expecting the Green Party to announce its candidate for the byelection in the Greater Manchester constituency of Gorton and Denton this morning, at around 11am.Labour won the seat with a 13,000 majority in the 2024 general election, but next month’s byelection is widely touted as a referendum on prime minister Keir Starmer, whose approval rating has tanked to unprecedented lows.Hoping to bank on Labour’s dwindling support are Reform UK and the Greens. Reform has announced hard-right activist, Matthew Goodwin, to contest the seat, while the frontrunners for the Green Party are expected to be the Trafford councillor Hannah Spencer and its deputy leader, Mothin Ali.Here are some early pictures of Keir Starmer in Shanghai. He is seen visiting Yuyuan Garden, a popular tourist destination located in Shanghai’s Old City, famous for its lantern festivals.The light drizzle did not deter the prime minister from taking a stroll through the scenic gardens or browse the traditional snacks and souvenirs on offer at the markets. He is pictured with a box of biscuits that he just purchased, with those stood around him smiling in approval.Keir Starmer during a visit to Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai, China Photograph: Carl Court/PAStarmer inspecting a tea cup at a market in Yuyuan Garden Photograph: Carl Court/PAStarmer buys a box of biscuits during his trip to the popular tourist destination Photograph: Carl Court/ReutersThe prime minister meets with student designers from Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation Photograph: Carl Court/ReutersStarmer is visiting China with a delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing Photograph: Carl Court/PATrump warns UK deal with China 'very dangerous'Good morning, Taz Ali here to bring you the latest news in UK politics.The US president, Donald Trump, said it was “very dangerous” for the UK to deal with China moments after Keir Starmer announced a successful trip to Beijing, where he discussed business with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.“Well it’s very dangerous for them to do that,” Trump said on Thursday when asked by reporters for his reaction to the landmark visit.Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks at the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing on Thursday during his visit to Beijing. Photograph: Carl Court/PAHis remarks came after Starmer, the first British prime minister to travel to Beijing since 2018, called for a “more sophisticated” relationship between the UK and China. The “very good meetings” with Xi, as Starmer described them, secured visa-free travel for British citizens to China for up to 30 days and a cut in Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky.Our political editor, Pippa Crerar, has more on this story below.Starmer is in Shanghai this morning, his final stop in China before he heads to Tokyo to meet with the Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement that the two leaders will hold a meeting before attending a working dinner, we will get more on this as it happens.“This visit of prime minister Starmer is expected to further strengthen the Japan-UK relations, an “enhanced global strategic partner” that share fundamental values and principles,” the ministry added.