China Threatened to Cancel Key UK-China Trade Talks Following UK Minister's Taiwan Visit
China threatened to cancel the UK-China trade and economic dialogue (Jetco) in the seven years after Douglas Alexander’s visit to Taipei in late June 2025. Despite this, Jetco talks proceeded in September 2025 following behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to manage Beijing’s response. Peter Kyle, the UK business and trade secretary, attended the talks.
Douglas Alexander visited Taipei on 29–30 June 2025, where he met Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te and trade secretary Cynthia Kiang. During his visit, he pledged to boost trade between the UK and Taiwan in key sectors. The Jetco talks conducted in September were expected to secure approximately £1 billion in UK market-access deals over five years.
UK-Taiwan bilateral trade stood at £9.3 billion in the previous year. Although the UK does not officially recognise Taiwan, it has maintained unofficial ties since 1991. China, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, remains highly sensitive to other countries’ engagements with Taipei, leading to ongoing diplomatic friction.
The UK's recent military activities around Taiwan, including naval operations, have drawn criticism from China. Additionally, the UK government is reportedly considering a plan to build a Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge, pending approval from security services. Labour leader Keir Starmer is planning a visit to Beijing in late January. Meanwhile, UK intelligence has warned of extensive Chinese espionage activities.
