Analysts say Starmer unlikely to secure major trade gains from China visit

Keir Starmer travels to Beijing this week leading a delegation of British companies with the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the business secretary, Peter Kyle, in a bid to revitalise diplomatic and economic ties. The visit, the first since Theresa May’s 2018 trip, is billed as focusing on joint trade and investment, but experts warn the prospect of landing a meaningful trade deal is slim.

Downing Street has signalled the trip will raise issues such as human rights, national security and the imprisonment in Hong Kong of the campaigner Jimmy Lai, while keeping the main emphasis on business links. Starmer said before the flight that China would bring "significant opportunities" to British businesses and that he would not be forced to choose between China and the US.

Chief executives from banks and financial firms, some small and medium enterprises, and a Rolls-Royce delegation — which already has a joint venture with Air China on aero engine services — are expected to join the trip. Analysts quoted in the coverage say expectations should be low.

Sam Goodman of the China Strategic Risks Institute said the "bar" for success is "very low" and could amount to "a bunch of MOUs" on financial services and perhaps the promise of a greenfield car investment.