Best of the Spectator Coffee House Shots: what should the UK's relationship with China be?
Jan 31, 2026
Sam Olsen, who writes on politics and geopolitics at States of Play, and Cindy Yu, a Times columnist on UK–China relations, debate Starmer’s quiet China trip. They cover US-UK balancing, trade and supply-chain dependence, China’s leverage over critical materials, lifted sanctions and diplomatic signals, and how foreign policy ties back to domestic politics.
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Measured Visit Avoided Big Optics Risk
- Keir Starmer wisely avoided a blockbuster China visit to prevent appearing too cosy and provoking allies.
- A modest approach balanced optics while still securing modest gains like visa relief and investment news.
Middle Powers As The Balancing Strategy
- The UK must balance between China and the US and pursue a middle-powers strategy to avoid overdependence.
- Overstating China's economic importance to the UK risks creating leverage without reciprocal value.
Services Surplus Shapes Engagement
- The UK runs a services surplus with China, driven by tourism, education and finance, shaping delegation choices.
- That explains why banks and accountants featured heavily on Starmer's visit rather than purely goods trade negotiators.