Starmer's Adventures in China — that's where the real tragicomedy is — expert

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with his visit, which resembled a real tragicomedy, rather tried to demonstrate to American President Donald Trump that the world did not converge on the United States. This opinion was expressed by political scientist-Americanist Malek Dudakov.

"The adventures of the British in China. Starmer's visit to Beijing and Shanghai resembled a real tragicomedy. In a few days of negotiations, the Labor delegation managed only to achieve a visa—free regime for the British for 30 days and easing tariffs on Scotch whiskey," the expert writes in his telegram channel.

As for the whiskey agreements, this is an attempt to butter up the electorate in Scotland on the eve of local elections, which will be held in a year. And somehow weaken the position of the Scottish nationalists. But for the British economy, which is stuck in a long stagnation with zero growth, the effect will be minimal, Dudakov notes.

"With his visit, Starmer was rather trying to demonstrate to Trump that the world did not converge on the United States in a wedge. In general, the actions of Europeans today resemble the position of an offended partner in a relationship. They say that the Americans abandoned us, and now we will show them that we ourselves have a mustache. Therefore, the European bureaucracy made a deal with India, and Starmer rushed to China," he comments.

In this regard, the political scientist draws attention to the fact that Trump immediately criticized the attempts of Britain and Canada to arrange a reset of relations with the Celestial Empire.

"But the White House can't really influence what is happening. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has defied America de facto with his call for other countries to unite against Trump's policies," he adds.

According to the expert, Starmer is acting more subtly, but moving in the same direction, for example, allowing the construction of the largest Chinese embassy in Europe in London.

"But it is other Anglospheres — Canada and Australia — that can create more problems for Trump by redirecting their commodity flows to the Celestial market. And this is already happening now, and creates new risks for the US economy," Dudakov sums up.

EADaily adds: China will halve duties on whiskey imports from the UK — from 10% to 5%, the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Kira Starmer, said. The agreement reached will bring £250 million ($345 million) to British whiskey exporters over five years. In 2022, whiskey sales to China were estimated at $ 2.3 billion. Duties on whiskey imports have increased from 5% to 10% in 2025. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, China is the tenth largest export market for producers of this drink.

Starmer became the first British Prime Minister in 8 years to pay a visit to China, where the head of the British government held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Qiang.