As the UK government basks in the political glow of its new trade deal with the United States, some observers are asking a tougher question: Was Washington even the right partner to prioritize?
With China’s growing dominance in global trade, technology, and infrastructure, could the UK have secured a stronger, more independent future by forging closer ties with Beijing — rather than aligning itself more tightly with Western economic policies and protectionist trends?
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The deal that was — and the deal that wasn’t
The UK-US agreement announced this week has been billed as “historic,” but in reality it just rolls back some of the tariffs Trump himself imposed, offering narrow relief to the UK’s car and steel sectors.
Critics argue it amounts to damage control, not a transformative shift.
Meanwhile, China has continued to expand its global trade reach, investing heavily across Africa, Asia, and even parts of Europe, while positioning itself as a key player in critical industries such as semiconductors, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
“Starmer had the opportunity to position the UK strategically with China, especially given Beijing’s growing influence in global trade and diplomacy,” noted one sharp Facebook commenter on Vox Political’s page.
“Instead, the approach has been cautious, aligning more closely with US economic policies rather than forging independent agreements that could have stabilised Britain’s trade outlook.”
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What could a China deal have offered?
A stronger trade relationship with China might have opened doors for the UK in sectors where Beijing leads:
- Technology and innovation — access to Chinese tech partnerships, manufacturing capacity, and research and development collaboration.
- Infrastructure investment — potentially tapping into Belt and Road projects or securing Chinese capital for UK infrastructure.
- Export growth — entering China’s vast consumer market for British luxury goods, services, and education.
- Diversification — reducing exposure to Western trade shocks or protectionist measures, like the US tariffs the UK just scrambled to avod.
Some economists argue that by hedging between China and the US, the UK could have carved out a more flexible, resilient global position.
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Why didn’t the UK go there?
Of course, the China path is politically fraught.
- Security concerns loom large, from Huawei’s role in UK telecoms to fears over intellectual property theft and geopolitical tensions.
- US pressure likely played a role; Washington has made clear it expects allies to side with it in the emerging US-China rivalry.
- Public opinion in the UK has grown more wary of China, particularly post-pandemic, making any high-profile Beijing deal politically risky.
But even so, some analysts suggest the government showed too little imagination — or too much caution — at a moment when Britain’s post-Brexit identity was still up for grabs.
A missed opportunity — or a cautious bet?
Was the China option ever truly viable, or was it always an impossible balancing act for a UK caught between alliances, values, and security ties?
What’s clear is that by focusing narrowly on the US deal, the UK may have locked itself into a more dependent, Western-centered economic future — one increasingly shaped by protectionist policies and shifting domestic politics in Washington.
As global power tilts eastward, some will ask whether Britain’s trade strategy was too timid, too aligned, and ultimately too limited.
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
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The UK may have scored a symbolic win with the US — but it’s worth asking if the bigger, bolder play was left on the table in Beijing.
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Would China have been a better UK trade ally than the US?
As the UK government basks in the political glow of its new trade deal with the United States, some observers are asking a tougher question: Was Washington even the right partner to prioritize?
With China’s growing dominance in global trade, technology, and infrastructure, could the UK have secured a stronger, more independent future by forging closer ties with Beijing — rather than aligning itself more tightly with Western economic policies and protectionist trends?
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £3 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
The deal that was — and the deal that wasn’t
The UK-US agreement announced this week has been billed as “historic,” but in reality it just rolls back some of the tariffs Trump himself imposed, offering narrow relief to the UK’s car and steel sectors.
Critics argue it amounts to damage control, not a transformative shift.
Meanwhile, China has continued to expand its global trade reach, investing heavily across Africa, Asia, and even parts of Europe, while positioning itself as a key player in critical industries such as semiconductors, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
“Starmer had the opportunity to position the UK strategically with China, especially given Beijing’s growing influence in global trade and diplomacy,” noted one sharp Facebook commenter on Vox Political’s page.
“Instead, the approach has been cautious, aligning more closely with US economic policies rather than forging independent agreements that could have stabilised Britain’s trade outlook.”
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
What could a China deal have offered?
A stronger trade relationship with China might have opened doors for the UK in sectors where Beijing leads:
Some economists argue that by hedging between China and the US, the UK could have carved out a more flexible, resilient global position.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
Why didn’t the UK go there?
Of course, the China path is politically fraught.
But even so, some analysts suggest the government showed too little imagination — or too much caution — at a moment when Britain’s post-Brexit identity was still up for grabs.
A missed opportunity — or a cautious bet?
Was the China option ever truly viable, or was it always an impossible balancing act for a UK caught between alliances, values, and security ties?
What’s clear is that by focusing narrowly on the US deal, the UK may have locked itself into a more dependent, Western-centered economic future — one increasingly shaped by protectionist policies and shifting domestic politics in Washington.
As global power tilts eastward, some will ask whether Britain’s trade strategy was too timid, too aligned, and ultimately too limited.
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £3 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
The UK may have scored a symbolic win with the US — but it’s worth asking if the bigger, bolder play was left on the table in Beijing.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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