UK Defends US Trade Deal Amid Chinese Concerns of Exclusion

The UK has rejected China’s concerns that its revised trade agreement with the U.S. could sideline Chinese interests, insisting the deal does not target any third country or restrict Chinese investment.

The UK-US pact, which eases some Trump-era tariffs on steel and aluminium, includes commitments from the UK to meet U.S. supply chain security requirements—prompting Beijing to warn it could be excluded from related exports. China’s Foreign Ministry said bilateral deals should not harm third parties.

In response, the UK government stressed the agreement serves its national interest by protecting jobs and enhancing trade, and reaffirmed that China remains an important trading partner. “There is no veto on Chinese investment,” a spokesperson said.

The deal comes as U.S.-China trade tensions ease, following a weekend agreement to roll back mutual tariffs. Analysts say the UK must balance closer U.S. ties with preserving vital trade links to China, amid growing global economic realignment.