China has criticized the commercial agreement of the United Kingdom-United States in a possible coup for the government attempt to relive relations with the country.
Beijing said it was a “basic principle” that such agreements should not be directed to other nations.
The Great Britain agreement with the United States, which was the first of the Trump administration since it presented radical global tariffs last month, includes an agreement to coordinate to “address non -commercial policies of third countries.”
It is understood that this clause is intended to prevent the United Kingdom from becoming a “rear door” for the choice of US measures on trade and security in relation to nations such as China through its exports to the country.
“Cooperation between the states should not be carried out against or to the detriment of the interests of third parties,” said Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Financial Times.
The statement raises difficulties for the government of Sir Keir Starmer, since it seeks to navigate its commercial position between two economic superpowers.
The relations between London and Beijing have defrosted under labor, with a resumption of high -level participation after years of little contact under the previous Tory administration.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited the country in January, saying that agreements of £ 600 million for the United Kingdom had been reached over the next five years on the trip.
Meanwhile, the agreement agreed between Great Britain and the United States eliminates the rate of 25% rates on steel and aluminum exports of the United Kingdom in exchange for giving the United States agricultural industry greater access to British markets.
The American taxes on British cars fall to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported to the US., But an initial 10% rate in most goods remains in force.
A government source said it was “for other countries to determine what is of national interest” and that the United Kingdom “remains open to the investment of a wide range of countries, including China.”
A government spokesman said: “This government signed an agreement with the United States in national interest to ensure thousands of jobs in key sectors, protect British companies and establish the bases for greater trade in the future.
“In line with our approach, trade and investment consistent in the long term with China they are still important for the United Kingdom. We continue to involve pragmatically in areas that are rooted in the interests of the United Kingdom and global and cooperate where we can, competing where we need and challenging where we should.”
