While President Trump secures America’s borders against illegal immigration, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cozies up to China’s Xi Jinping.
Story Snapshot
- Starmer announces “good progress” on reducing China’s whisky tariffs after 31% UK export plunge from 2025 hikes.
- China agrees to 30-day visa-free travel for UK citizens, aligning with 50 other nations, start date pending.
- Feasibility study launched for UK-China services trade deal amid projected 71-121% growth in Chinese imports by 2035.
- Cooperation pledged on irregular migration, including small boats and engine parts intel-sharing.
Starmer-Xi Meeting Yields Trade Progress
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on January 29, 2026, marking the first such visit since 2018. Starmer hailed “really good progress” on key issues. China doubled whisky tariffs from 5% to 10% in February 2025, retaliating against EU brandy disputes and causing a 31% drop in UK exports to China. Discussions focused on tariff reduction mechanisms and timelines to revive the spirits sector.
Visa-Free Travel and Services Expansion
China committed to introducing 30-day visa-free travel for UK citizens, matching policies for 50 other countries like France and Japan. Implementation date remains undetermined. Starmer’s delegation of 54 business representatives pushed a feasibility study for a bilateral services agreement. UK services exports lag despite China’s demand, with forecasts showing 71-121% growth in imports for financial, legal, education, and digital sectors by 2035. Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized these “huge growth opportunities.”
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpKOCAdTju8
Migration Cooperation Amid Human Rights Talks
Agreements include cooperation on irregular migration, targeting small boats and engine parts smuggling. Starmer raised human rights concerns, including Jimmy Lai and Uighurs, but positioned them secondary to economic gains. This reflects a shift to “sophisticated” engagement post-Brexit, contrasting US President Trump’s firm stance against Chinese economic leverage and open borders. UK’s post-Brexit export push prioritizes market access over confrontation.
Stakeholders Push for Implementation
Starmer leads negotiations to boost UK jobs and growth through China access. Xi seeks stable partnerships and expanded imports. UK whisky exporters aim to reverse losses, while services firms eye billions in new revenue. Power dynamics favor economic pragmatism, with Starmer seeking concessions and Xi leveraging China’s market size. Business lobbies press for swift tariff cuts and visa rollout to aid short-term travel and deal scouting.
🇬🇧 🇨🇳 British PM says 'good progress' with China on whisky tariffs, visas
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer says "really good progress" has been made on issues including whisky tariffs and visa-free travel after meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. pic.twitter.com/JvhnudUmUy
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 29, 2026
Short-term wins ease export barriers and travel, but long-term success hinges on finalized deals. Scottish whisky regions and services sectors stand to gain most, reinforcing UK’s role as the world’s second-largest services exporter. Political signals indicate a UK-China thaw, though human rights scrutiny persists.Â
Sources:
UK citizens to get 30 days visa-free travel to China
Update: UK PM says good progress made on tariffs in China talks
Update: UK PM says good progress made on tariffs in China talks
