Beijing Threatened to Scrap UK–China Trade Talks After British Minister’s Taiwan Visit
China warned it might cancel the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission in seven years following a high-level British trade minister’s official visit to Taipei, before diplomacy salvaged the dialogue
China raised the stakes in its diplomatic engagement with London in mid-2025 by threatening to cancel a crucial round of trade talks in response to a senior United Kingdom minister’s official visit to Taiwan.
Beijing’s warning came after the UK’s then trade minister, Douglas Alexander, visited Taipei on June 29 and 30, meeting with Taiwanese officials and President Lai Ching-te in a bid to deepen economic cooperation.
China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, viewed the visit as unacceptable and told British officials it would likely withdraw from the planned UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission, the first such dialogue in seven years.
Despite this threat, sustained diplomatic engagement between the two capitals allowed the trade commission talks to proceed in September under the leadership of the newly appointed UK business and trade secretary.
During his Taiwan visit, Alexander also co-chaired annual trade discussions with his Taiwanese counterpart, advancing Enhanced Trade Partnership pillars and underscoring both sides’ interest in expanding cooperation in investment, digital trade and energy.
Beijing’s objections reflect its long-standing opposition to official foreign engagements with Taiwan and a commitment to the so-called one-China principle, which holds that Taiwan is part of China.
Chinese Embassy officials had previously urged the UK to cease substantive contacts with Taiwan to avoid harming UK-China relations.
The episode highlighted the delicate balance London seeks to strike between engaging Taiwan economically and managing strategic ties with Beijing, at a time when both countries are pursuing opportunities to broaden trade and investment.
Analysts say the resolution of the dispute and the continuation of the trade talks demonstrate the importance both sides place on economic dialogue, even amid tensions over geopolitical issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Beijing’s warning came after the UK’s then trade minister, Douglas Alexander, visited Taipei on June 29 and 30, meeting with Taiwanese officials and President Lai Ching-te in a bid to deepen economic cooperation.
China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, viewed the visit as unacceptable and told British officials it would likely withdraw from the planned UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission, the first such dialogue in seven years.
Despite this threat, sustained diplomatic engagement between the two capitals allowed the trade commission talks to proceed in September under the leadership of the newly appointed UK business and trade secretary.
During his Taiwan visit, Alexander also co-chaired annual trade discussions with his Taiwanese counterpart, advancing Enhanced Trade Partnership pillars and underscoring both sides’ interest in expanding cooperation in investment, digital trade and energy.
Beijing’s objections reflect its long-standing opposition to official foreign engagements with Taiwan and a commitment to the so-called one-China principle, which holds that Taiwan is part of China.
Chinese Embassy officials had previously urged the UK to cease substantive contacts with Taiwan to avoid harming UK-China relations.
The episode highlighted the delicate balance London seeks to strike between engaging Taiwan economically and managing strategic ties with Beijing, at a time when both countries are pursuing opportunities to broaden trade and investment.
Analysts say the resolution of the dispute and the continuation of the trade talks demonstrate the importance both sides place on economic dialogue, even amid tensions over geopolitical issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
