UK Must Rethink China Strategy to Maintain Ties with Trump Administration

FIRST ON FOX: As President Donald Trump reshapes American foreign policy based on hard-nosed deals and national self-interest, a new report highlights that the UK needs to reevaluate its approach to preserve its “special relationship” with the United States. Failure to do so may leave Britain sidelined in Washington.

Darren Spinck, a fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, warns that under Trump’s leadership, there will be no “business as usual.” The special bond between the U.S. and UK cannot be assumed going forward. In a recent report, Spinck argues that to remain a vital ally, Britain must adapt to Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy.

Strategic Patience in Trade

The report suggests that opting not to retaliate against Trump-era tariffs on steel and aluminum might convey a sense of strategic patience that could facilitate future bilateral negotiations. Specific actions that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer could consider include aligning with Trump’s administration and pursuing a U.S.-UK free trade agreement. This strategy could incorporate deeper security cooperation and a more stringent approach to China.

Recently, Trump imposed a 10% across-the-board tariff on foreign nations. He has also paused harsher levies he previously proposed for every country except China, highlighting the core issues at stake.

Accession to Trade Agreements

Another recommendation from the report involves the UK exploring the possibility of joining the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, also known as the USMCA. This move could serve as a strategic step to forge closer economic ties with the United States.

Reducing Dependency on China

The report urges UK Labour Party leaders to lessen their economic reliance on the People’s Republic of China rather than intensifying it. Striking closer ties with Beijing could jeopardize U.S.-UK relations, particularly under Trump’s administration.

Spinck contrasts the Trump administration’s focus on bilateralism, economic nationalism, and Indo-Pacific security with the Starmer government’s preference for multilateral diplomacy and progressive trade policies. He warns that these differing policies risk undermining transatlantic cohesion, which is crucial for a united response to common adversaries, especially China.

Concerns Over Intelligence Sharing

Divergent policies on China, NATO obligations, and strategies in the Indo-Pacific could endanger intelligence sharing among the Five Eyes nations, a cornerstone of UK national security. Spinck calls upon the British government to negotiate a deal with the U.S. that addresses concerns regarding digital privacy. This is particularly important after the UK requested Apple to allow security agencies access to encrypted cloud data.

Recently, the British government has walked back the classification of China as the “greatest state-based threat”. The current Labour leadership has moved towards strengthening economic ties with Beijing, reversing the trends set by the last three Conservative administrations.

Concerns Over Market Access for China

Spinck observes that the UK has facilitated Beijing’s entry into Western capital markets while reestablishing bilateral frameworks on industrial, trade, and energy policies. He questions why London appears keen to expand economic collaboration with China, a nation often criticized for its human rights practices. At the same time, the UK’s development finance institution has shown reluctance in supporting international infrastructure or mining projects elsewhere.

Globalization in Question

As the Trump administration seeks to accelerate America’s decoupling from targeted Chinese economic and technological sectors, concerns arise about the Labour government’s warming relations with Beijing. The ineffectiveness of managing these complexities may unnecessarily strain the special relationship shared with the U.S.

Key transatlantic cooperation, including efforts to forge a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, hangs in the balance if the U.S. and UK find themselves at odds over China policy.

Pushing Past Political divides

Spinck emphasizes that the UK should set aside its disagreements over U.S. domestic policies in favor of security collaboration, which is increasingly urgent. He articulates that the Labour government’s views on various policies—from immigration to climate issues—differ widely from those of Trump.

Such fractures, exemplified by varying demands over digital privacy and access to data, shape the relationship between the two allies and can hinder foreign policy alignment.

Seeking a Transactional Partnership

To mend these cultural and policy gaps, Spinck advocates for a shift to a more transactional model of foreign policy collaboration. Britain must take an active role in resetting the agenda, prioritizing mutually beneficial measures over domestic ideological discrepancies.

Addressing Diplomatic Challenges with Iran

The UK could signal goodwill by adopting a firmer diplomatic stance on Iran. Spinck urges London to help bridge the gap in transatlantic perspectives on Iran policy, which has hindered coherent attempts to address Iran’s nuclear progress. While the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed sanctions, the UK has remained cautious, even amidst violations by Iran.

Moreover, Spinck encourages the UK to align with the U.S. in designating Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Such actions could resonate positively in Washington and uphold the longstanding Trump policy on Iran, offering the UK goodwill without incurring additional costs.